War Memorial East Of Dulwich College

War Memorial East of Dulwich College

This is a war memorial commemorating those from Dulwich College who fell in the First and Second World Wars. The main monument was constructed in 1920 and is attributed to WH Atkin-Berry, a former pupil of the college. It was unveiled on Founders' Day, 17 June 1921, by Major General Sir Webb Gillman, another former pupil.

The memorial comprises an octagonal Portland stone cross mounted on an octagonal pedestal, which sits above a further substantial octagonal pedestal bearing bronze panels. The entire structure stands on three octagonal tiered steps and rises to a total height of over 9 metres.

The College's Coat of Arms is mounted on the bronze plaque on the western face of the upper tier. The western face of the bottom tier carries the Latin inscription 'MORTUI VIVUNT' above a bronze plaque bearing a laurel wreath and the words 'PUERI / ALLEYNIENSES / MCMXIV - MCMXIX'. The remaining seven bronze panels on the bottom tier contain 485 names—481 pupils and 4 masters—who fell in the First World War, with additional names on a small bronze plaque on the eastern face of the top step.

The ornamentation is restrained, featuring scrolled leaves on the cross, diamond-enhanced architraves to the panels of the bottom tier, and fluted moulding to the base of the pedestal.

Two Portland stone table plinths stand to the north and south of the principal monument, commemorating 352 who fell in the Second World War. These follow the design language of the earlier monument, with the simple inscription '1939-1945' above bronze plaques bearing the names of the fallen. The panels are edged with the same diamond-pattern architrave.

Originally, the memorial stood on a marked pavement bordered by four square bollards. When the Second World War plinths were erected, the pavement was extended and the bollards removed.

The memorial stands in the grounds of Dulwich College and has a strong visual and contextual relationship with the College's main building and its entrance gates.

Dulwich College was founded by Edward Alleyn in 1619, with the original buildings at Dulwich Old College dating from the 17th century, though these were extensively remodelled in the 19th century. When the original foundation was reformed in 1857, new buildings for the school were erected by the younger Charles Barry between 1866 and 1870 at the present location, approximately half a mile from the old college.

The architect WH Atkin-Berry held the qualification FRIBA. At the same time the war memorial was created, two publications known as the "Dulwich College War Record" were produced, containing portraits and biographies of all who fell, lists of honours and distinctions, and a roll of over 3,000 men associated with the college who served in the forces. A separate war memorial also exists at the Old College building.