Canterbury War Memorial, Buttermarket, Canterbury

The Canterbury War Memorial, designed by Professor Arthur Beresford Pite and sculpted by Benjamin Clemens, was unveiled in 1921 and bronze tablets were added the following year. The memorial is constructed of Doulting stone and sits on an octagonal platform of cobblestones, edged by curbing stones and metal railings. It comprises a runic cross set upon a tapering square column with a projecting plinth. Recessed figures of St George and representatives of the three armed services are positioned at the top of each face of the pillar, with quatrefoil motifs and small heraldic shields decorating the stone pillar. Larger heraldic shields are displayed on each face below the figures, depicting the arms of the City of Canterbury, Kent, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Black Prince. An incised inscription encircles the memorial, reading "DEDICATED TO THE HONOURED / MEMORY OF THE MEN / OF CANTERBURY WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919.” A large bronze plaque on the front face provides further commemoration and includes the text "TRUE LOVE BY LIFE / TRUE LOVE BY DEATH IS TRIED / LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND / WE FOR ENGLAND DIED,” along with details of the unveiling ceremony by Field-Marshal Earl Haig and dedication by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Bronze plaques on the other three sides of the pillar list the names of those who died in the First World War. A further plaque on the plinth commemorates those who died in the Second World War (1939-1945), alongside three additional plaques listing the names of those who fell in that conflict. All inscriptions are raised lettering.