Wimbledon Common War Memorial

A First World War Memorial, designed by Madeline Agar and erected in 1921, refurbished in 2006.

MATERIALS: constructed of rock-faced stone with marble inscription panels.

PLAN: octagonal.

DETAILS: the memorial consists of a wide octagonal base divided into compartments, six to contain plants, the other two sides providing five steps up to a platform. This bears a narrower octagon of three steps bearing a moulded plinth with attached inscribed marble tablets, surmounted by a tall Latin cross with vertical carved strips.

One marble tablet is inscribed:

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 is inscribed:

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.

The other six marble tablets bear the names of the 115 local men who gave their lives in the First World War.