Great Amwell War Memorial

First World War Memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

MATERIALS: stone.

EXTERIOR: the memorial is in the form of a standard Lutyens War Cross with a tapering shaft which rests on a stepped plinth supported by a two-stepped base.

The north face of the foot of the cross shaft bears the inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF GREAT AMWELL/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 1919/ 1939 1945. The north face of the plinth records the names of twelve men who fell in the First World War followed by THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. More First World War names are recorded on the east and west faces of the plinth. The south face bears the inscription SONS OF THIS PLACE LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID/ THAT YOU WHO LIVE ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD/ THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT YOU WHO LIVE MAY REAP/ A RICHER HARVEST ERE YOU FALL ASLEEP/ GREAT WAR 1939 – 1945/ followed by seven names.

The memorial stands on a square paved area which is set into the embankment. It is approached by a flight of six steps, contemporary with, and integral to, the memorial.