Bedford War Memorial

The Bedford War Memorial commemorates those who served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Unveiled in 1922 by Lord Ampthill, the memorial was sculpted by Charles Sargeant Jagger, with surrounding bollards designed by George P Allen and built by G F Loughton.

The memorial is prominently situated between the Embankment and the Promenade on the north bank of the River Ouse. It features a cloaked figure of a knight, likely representing St George, standing triumphantly between the wings of a slain dragon. The dragon is positioned over a square plinth, with its claws gripping the front edge and its tail hanging down behind. The structure includes a pedestal that stands on a base and two steps, which are at the center of a square stone platform. This platform is surrounded by domed octagonal bollards connected by chains, with one at each corner and one at the center of each side.

Inscriptions on three sides of the pedestal honor the fallen. The first side commemorates World War I with the words: "1914 + 1919 TO BEDFORDIANS WHO DIED MANY IN EARLY YOUTH SOME FULL OF YEARS AND HONOUR BUT WHO ALL ALIKE GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY." The second side honors World War II, stating: "1939 + 1945 TO COMMEMORATE THE STRUGGLE AND SACRIFICE OF BEDFORDIANS." The third side recognizes the Korean War with: "1950 + 1953 TO COMMEMORATE THE KOREAN WAR." No individual names are recorded on the memorial.