Richmond upon Thames Borough War Memorial

The Richmond upon Thames Borough War Memorial is located on the Embankment at the south-west end of Whittaker Avenue, overlooking the River Thames. It is surrounded by several listed buildings, including the Grade I Richmond Bridge. This tall stone monument features a column raised on a plinth, flanked by walls that display the names of those commemorated.

The column is octagonal in shape and tapers as it rises, supporting an orb that sits atop a moulded collar. It stands on a tall plinth made up of three stages. The uppermost stage has round-headed pediments on each side and is adorned with Richmond Borough’s coat of arms on the north-east and south-west sides, along with a figure of a sailor on the north-west side and a soldier on the south-east side. Below the Borough arms, the inscription reads PRO PATRIA/ 1914 – 1918.

This upper stage is set on two rectangular steps. The names of some commemorated individuals are inscribed on the north-east face of the upper step. The lower stage features the main dedicatory inscription on the south-west face, which states: 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 extend from the south-west face of the base, designed for the placement of wreaths and floral tributes. An additional inscription on the north-east face of the base notes the years 1914 - 1918/ 1939 – 1945 and mentions that the Borough’s book of Remembrance is available for public viewing in the nearby former Town Hall, which is unlisted.

Brick flanking walls with stone coping extend from the lower stage of the plinth, ending in low stone piers. The south-west face of these walls also bears further names.