Wimbledon Common War Memorial

The Wimbledon Common War Memorial is a First World War memorial designed by Madeline Agar and erected in 1921, with refurbishment completed in 2006.

Constructed from rock-faced stone, the memorial features marble inscription panels. It has an octagonal plan, consisting of a wide octagonal base divided into compartments. Six of these compartments are designed to hold plants, while the other two sides provide five steps leading up to a platform. This platform supports a narrower octagon with three steps, which features a moulded plinth with attached inscribed marble tablets. Atop this is a tall Latin cross adorned with vertical carved strips.

One marble tablet is inscribed with the words:

NATURE PROVIDES / THE BEST MONUMENT / THE PERFECTING OF / THE WORK MUST BE LEFT / TO THE GENTLE HAND / OF TIME, BUT EACH / RETURNING SPRING WILL / BRING A FRESH TRIBUTE / TO THOSE WHOM IT / IS DESIRED TO KEEP IN / EVERLASTING / REMEMBRANCE.

The opposite tablet reads:

THE LAND AROUND / 42 ACRES / IS DEDICATED / TO PUBLIC USE / IN MEMORY OF ALL / THOSE WHO HAVING / BEEN RESIDENT OR / BELONGING TO FAMILIES / RESIDENT IN THE / ADJOINING DISTRICTS / GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918.

Additionally, six other marble tablets list the names of the 115 local men who lost their lives in the First World War.