Wanstead War Memorial

The Wanstead War Memorial, designed by Newbury Abbot Trent and unveiled in 1922, commemorates the First World War. It is situated to the north-east of Memorial Green, within a detached area of Epping Forest known as Tarzy Wood. The memorial comprises a tall Portland stone pedestal with a stepped base, set upon a stepped black granite plinth and stone platform. A bronze figure of Victory, crowned with a laurel wreath and with outstretched wings, occupies the top of the pedestal, her right arm raised and her left hand holding a palm branch.

A green marble plaque with gilded lettering on the front face of the pedestal reads: ‘MEN OF WANSTEAD / WHOM THEIR NEIGHBOURS / HEREBY COMMEMORATE / HERE NUMBERED AMONG / THOSE WHO IN THE / GREAT WAR / AT THE CALL OF / KING AND COUNTRY / LEFT ALL THAT WAS / DEAR TO THEM / ENDURED HARDSHIP / FACED DANGER AND / FINALLY PASSED OUT OF / THE SIGHT OF MEN BY / THE PATH OF DUTY AND / SELF SACRIFICE GIVING UP / THEIR OWN LIVES THAT / OTHERS MIGHT / LIVE IN / FREEDOM / LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER / SEE TO IT THAT THEIR / SACRIFICE WAS NOT IN VAIN / 1914-1918’. Above the inscription is a carved shield, crown and furled flags. A second stone plaque, situated below the first, is inscribed: 'AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE / MEN AND WOMEN WHO LAID / DOWN THEIR LIVES / IN THE 1939-1945 WAR / WE WILL REMEMBER THEM'. The lower four faces of the pedestal are carved with the names of 199 individuals who died in the First World War. A small plaque on the base commemorates a serviceman who died in the Afghanistan conflict.