Aldeburgh War Memorial

The Aldeburgh War Memorial was unveiled in 1921, designed by Mr W Crum-Watson and built by Messrs Farmer and Brindley. The memorial is constructed from Portland stone and features slate inscription panels. It stands on a five-stepped hexagonal base leading to a hexagonal pedestal surmounted by a tapering hexagonal column topped with a Latin cross, which bears a relief carving of the Sword of Sacrifice. Recessed inscription panels are set into each face of the dado. Three panels commemorate the period 1914–18 and list names of those who served in the Army, one panel lists names of those who served in the Royal Navy for the same period, and a final panel covers 1939–45 and lists names of those who served in the Army, Royal Navy, and Merchant Navy. The main inscription, on the east face of the dado, includes the Royal and Borough Arms in the upper corners and reads: “THEY / WHOM THIS / MONUMENT COMMEMORATES / WERE HONOURED AMONG THOSE / WHO AT THE CALL OF / KING AND COUNTRY / LEFT ALL THAT WAS / DEAR TO THEM / ENDURED HARDSHIP / FACED DANGER AND FINALLY / PASSED OUT OF SIGHT / OF MEN BY THE PATH OF DUTY / AND SELF SACRIFICE / GIVING UP THEIR OWN LIVES / THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE IN / FREEDOM / Let them who come after see to it / that their names be not forgotten.” An additional inscription carved in relief on the pedestal plinth reads: “ERECTED BY THEIR / FELLOW TOWNSFOLK.” A later stone plaque on the top step of the base lists the names of 7 civilians killed by enemy action.