Coningsby War Memorial

The Coningsby War Memorial stands at the north-east end of a grassed area on the High Street, where it meets Park Lane. It is raised on a circular pavement level with the road, accessed by four steps on the north-west side, with timber handrails. Floodlights are set into the pavement around the memorial's base.

Constructed from Aberdeen red granite, the memorial comprises a broken classical column rising from a square plinth. The plinth rests on a two-stage, square base, which in turn sits on a low, square Portland stone step. The lower stage of the base is rough-hewn. The plinth and base are inscribed with details of those who died in service. On the north-west face of the plinth, inscriptions read: “THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY / THE PARISHIONERS OF CONINGSBY / IN LOVING AND GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF ALL WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED / BELOW, AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 (8 NAMES, one noted as MISSING).” The south-west face carries a similar inscription. On the upper stage of the base, the north-west face reads “ALSO IN HONOURED MEMORY OF (8 NAMES) / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945, / AND IN GRATITUDE FOR THE LIVES SPARED.” The First World War inscriptions are incised and painted in black enamel, while the Second World War inscription is composed of metal letters, also painted with black enamel.

An original small brass plaque explaining the symbolism of the broken column – representing a broken life and tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice for freedom – was initially attached to the base on the Portland stone step. This has been replaced by a new red granite plinth bearing the same explanation.