St Michael's, Cornhill War Memorial

The St Michael's War Memorial is located against the western pier of the porch of the Church of St Michael Cornhill, which is a Grade I-listed building. The pier is part of the remodelling by Sir George Gilbert Scott that took place between 1857 and 1860, and it forms the base of the tall Gothic tower built between 1715 and 1722.

The memorial features a narrow, tapering pedestal made of Portland stone, resting on a deep plinth that matches the height and hollow-chamfer moulding of the adjacent Gothic porch. Atop the pedestal is a bronze sculptural group, prominently displaying the youthful figure of St Michael the Archangel, who is the patron saint of the parish church and represents the victory of good over evil.

St Michael is depicted with his wings outstretched, holding a blazing sword high. To his right are two fierce lions, one biting the head of the other, while to his left is a group of four naked infants looking up at him, seeking his protection. The Times described the scene at the unveiling ceremony in 1920, noting that St Michael was ‘repelling Strife in the form of two beasts tearing one another as they perish, and leading in Brotherhood and Love in the form of a group of children.’ The Builder commented that ‘they [the beasts] slid slowly, but surely, from their previous paramount position. Life, in the shape of young children, rises with increased confidence under the protection of the champion of right.’

A bronze tablet affixed to the front of the memorial features sunken relief lettering that reads: "DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919 THE NAMES WERE RECORDED ON THIS SITE OF 2130 MEN WHO FROM OFFICES IN THE PARISHES OF THIS UNITED BENEFICE VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY IN THE NAVY AND ARMY + OF THESE IT IS KNOWN THAT AT LEAST 170 GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD."