The National Submariners' War Memorial, attached to the Embankment Wall

The National Submariners' War Memorial, built in 1922 and attached to the Embankment Wall, is situated at Temple Pier, close to several listed buildings and opposite the grounds of Middle and Inner Temple. It is a monumental stepped granite pier carrying a large bronze plaque. The plaque features a bas-relief depicting an underwater scene framed by architectural elements. The central panel shows a cross-section of a submarine control room, with the Captain visible beneath the periscope, surrounded by mythical sea spirits or mermen tugging at nets. The cornice is topped by an escutcheon resembling the Submarine Service 'Dolphin' badge, and ships’ prows are clasped by putti at either end. The base of the plaque depicts a submarine cruising on the surface and includes the dates 1914 and 1918.

Pilasters on the memorial contain lists of 50 submarines lost in the First World War (on the left) and 82 in the Second World War (on the right). The pilaster capitals are decorated with Royal Navy insignia, and the bases feature laurel wreaths. A frieze includes the inscription: ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE BRITISH NAVY / WHO LOST THEIR LIVES SERVING IN SUBMARINES 1914-1918 AND 1939-1945 (originally reading AUGUST 1914 – NOVEMBER 1918). Attached to the plaque's sides are allegorical female figures representing Truth and Justice, supported on pedestals with dolphin consoles.

A second plaque, surmounted by a rendition of the Submarine Service badge, reads NATIONAL SUBMARINE WAR MEMORIAL (1922) / THIS PLAQUE COMMEMORATES THE MEMORIAL'S / SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND THE CONTRIBUTION / BY THE MEMBERS OF THE SUBMARINERS OLD COMRADES, LONDON, IN THEIR DEVOTION TO / THE UPKEEP OF THIS MEMORIAL, UNVEILED BY / PETER P RIGBY CBE JP. Forty bronze wreath-hooks in the shape of anchors are fixed to the wall on either side of the plaque, and are a distinctive feature.