Mitcham War Memorial

Mitcham War Memorial is a First World War memorial, erected in 1920, with additions to commemorate the Second World War. It is located on Lower Green, opposite the Grade II-listed Mitcham Parish Rooms.

The memorial is constructed from Portland stone and bronze. It takes the form of a wheel-head Latin cross with a tapering, four-sided shaft. The shaft terminates in a square foot of classical design, featuring a Greek key pattern carved into two sides and standing on a narrow square block. The cross rises from a square plinth, which has a decorated band at the top, surmounted by a cavetto with a cornice. Rectangular panels project from the cavetto to all four sides. The vertical edges of the plinth are chamfered, with inverted bronze swords affixed to each; each sword hilt has six studs down the centre, and the pommel is sculpted in the shape of St Edward’s crown. The plinth has a three-stage moulded foot and stands on a five-stepped, octagonal base.

The four sides of the plinth bear the names of 588 members of the local community who died during the First World War. The principal inscription, to the south face of the plinth, reads “TO THE MEN OF MITCHAM/ WHO FALLING, CONQUERED/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919.” Above this, on the panel in the cavetto, is the dedication: “THEIR NAME LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE.” All lettering is incised.

A stone panel, added in 1962, rests against the plinth foot and carries the Second World War inscription in raised lettering: “AND/ TO THE MEMORY/ OF THE MEN, WOMEN/ AND CHILDREN OF MITCHAM/ WHO LOST THEIR LIVES/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945.” A further panel, added later, is situated on the uppermost step of the base and reads: “AND THOSE KILLED/ IN OTHER CONFLICTS.”

The memorial is enclosed by metal railings. These railings are not considered to be of special architectural or historic interest.