Richmond upon Thames Borough War Memorial

Richmond upon Thames Borough War Memorial stands on the Embankment at the south-west end of Whittaker Avenue, overlooking the River Thames. A number of buildings on the Embankment to either side are listed, as is Richmond Bridge (Grade I). The tall stone monument takes the form of a column raised on a plinth, flanked by walls on which commemorated names are recorded.

The tapering column, octagonal in plan, supports an orb rising from a moulded collar. The column stands on a tall plinth of three stages. The uppermost stage, with round headed pediments to each side, is carved with Richmond Borough’s coat of arms to the north-east and south-west, with the figure of a sailor to the north-west and a soldier to the south-east. Below the Borough arms is inscribed PRO PATRIA/ 1914 – 1918.

This stage stands on two steps, rectangular on plan. A group of commemorated names is recorded on the north-east face of the upper step. Below, the lower stage bears the principal dedicatory inscription to the south-west face, reading IN REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE MEN OF THIS BOROUGH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR/ KING AND COUNTRY DURING THE GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918 & 1939 – 1945. Two semi-circular steps project from the south-west face of the base, for the placement of wreaths and floral tributes. An additional inscription on the north-east face of the base reads 1914 - 1918/ 1939 – 1945 and records that the Borough’s book of Remembrance is on public display in the former Town Hall (unlisted) nearby.

Flanking walls in brick with stone coping, terminating in low stone piers, extend from the lower stage of the plinth. Stone facings to the south-west face of the walls recorded further names.