The Rifle Brigade War Memorial

The Rifle Brigade War Memorial was erected in 1925 and features sculptures by John Tweed. It is constructed from Portland stone and bronze. The memorial consists of a curving stone screen wall with a central square pylon. The pylon supports a life-sized bronze statue of a First World War rifleman marching forward, wearing a helmet and full equipment, with a rifle slung over his shoulder.

At the ends of the screen wall are life-sized bronze figures: an officer from 1800, when the regiment was formed, with his left hand resting on the hilt of his sheathed sword, and a soldier from 1806, standing at ease with his hands resting on the muzzle of his Baker rifle. The regiment notably distinguished itself in the Peninsular War and the Waterloo Campaign.

Carved in low relief on the central pylon is the regimental badge, below which is the main inscription, reading “IN MEMORY OF / 11,575 OFFICERS / WARRANT OFFICERS / NON-COMMISSIONED / OFFICERS AND / RIFLEMEN OF / THE RIFLE BRIGADE / WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1918.”

A stone plaque was added in front of the central pylon after the Second World War, in keeping with the original design. It bears the inscription “AND IN MEMORY / OF 1329 OFFICERS / WARRANT OFFICERS / NON-COMMISSIONED / OFFICERS AND / RIFLEMEN OF / THE CORPS OF / THE RIFLE BRIGADE / WHO FELL IN / THE WORLD WAR / 1939-1945.”