The Guards Memorial

The Guards Memorial is a significant structure standing 38 feet 6 inches high, made of Portland stone, featuring bronze relief panels and statuary. The central pylon is a broad, squat obelisk with inscriptions on all four sides. At the top, there is an incised string-course of five lines. The memorial does not record individual names; however, the inscription on the eastern face, which faces Horse Guards Parade, reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS WARRANT OFFICERS NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & GUARDSMEN OF HIS MAJESTY'S REGIMENTS OF FOOT GUARDS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY DURING THE GREAT WAR OF 1914 - 1918 AND OF THE OFFICERS WARRANT OFFICERS NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS AND OTHER UNITS WHO WHILE SERVING WITH THE GUARDS DIVISION IN FRANCE & BELGIUM 1915 - 1918 FELL WITH THEM IN THE FIGHT FOR THE WORLD'S FREEDOM."

Five bronze soldiers, each over life-sized at 7 feet 3 inches high, represent the Guards regiments and stand at ease against a stone cenotaph on a podium that sits atop a three-stepped plinth. Below the figures, the badges of the Guards regiments are carved in relief, accompanied by the inscription: "THIS MEMORIAL ALSO COMMEMORATES ALL THOSE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD DIVISION WHO DIED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY SINCE 1918." Additionally, bronze relief panels are mounted on either side of the cenotaph, depicting various pieces of equipment specific to the commemorated regiments. On the rear face of the memorial, which faces St James’s Park, there is a panel illustrating an 18-pounder field gun being loaded.