Bury St Edmunds War Memorial

A First World War memorial, built 1921; altered after the Second World War and later.

MATERIALS Clipsham stone.

DESCRIPTION The war memorial stands in a prominent location on the corner of Angel Hill, close to the medieval Abbey Gate. It is 4.5m high and comprises a large wheel-cross on top of a three-stepped octagonal base.

In a recessed panel on the west face of the upper step is incised: 1914-1919 / 1939-1945. Beneath this, the west face of the second step is inscribed: IN PROUD AND THANKFUL MEMORY / OF THE MEN OF BURY ST EDMUNDS / WHO WENT TO THE GREAT WARS / AND LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. The eastern faces of the base are inscribed (upper step) TO / THE GLORIOUS DEAD / (second step) LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER / SEE TO IT/ THAT THEY BE NOT FORGOTTEN. The north face of the second step of the base is inscribed: THE ROLL OF HONOUR WHICH RESTS ON A LECTERN / IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST JAMES / CONTAINS THE NAMES OF 427 MEN OF THIS TOWN / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. The south face of the second step of the base is inscribed: THIS MEMORIAL CROSS / WAS UNVEILED BY / GENERAL LORD HORNE GCB KCMG / ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 13th 1921.