Meriden War Memorial

The Meriden War Memorial is a First World War memorial, erected in 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. It is located at the junction of Berkswell Road and Main Road.

The memorial features a stone platform, a three-stepped square base, and a pedestal topped with a timber canopied cross. The pedestal has a splayed base that rises to concave corners and includes a moulded cornice. On either side of the inset granite inscription panels are engaged chamfered and moulded pillars with broach stops. The front (north-east) face of the timber cross displays a cast-iron figure of Christ, painted white. Above this figure is a small scroll-shaped plaque inscribed with the initials ‘INRI’, which stands for Iesus Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm, meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. The chamfered barge boards of the timber canopy are carved with the inscription "THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH."

The front-facing (north-east) panel of the pedestal bears the inscription:

"OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY / FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE / WHO FELL IN THE / GREAT WAR"

This panel lists the names of 13 men who died. The panel on the south-east face is inscribed:

"IN GRATITUDE FOR THOSE / WHO RETURNED SAFELY"

This panel records the names of an additional 78 men who served and returned, with their names also listed on the panels on the other two sides.

A plaque has been added to the top step, marking the dates 1939-1945 and listing the names of seven men who died in the Second World War. Another plaque records the names of the eight men who returned.