Birchington and Acol War Memorial and memorial enclosure

The Birchington and Acol War Memorial and its enclosure stand within the churchyard, positioned in front of the Church of All Saints. Erected as a memorial to those lost in the First World War, the structure also commemorates those who died in the Second World War. The memorial takes the form of a tall granite cross, rising from a pyramidal foot. The foot has shouldered panels on its front and rear faces and stands on a pedestal, each face of which is inscribed. The pedestal sits upon an octagonal, three-stepped base constructed of a different stone. The edges of the cross are decorated with bead and reel ornament, and the centre of the cross head features a carved rose on the front and a fleur-de-lys on the rear. The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the cross foot reads: “1914 - 1919/ TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ HALLOWED MEMORY/ OF THE MEN FROM/ BIRCHINGTON AND ACOL/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR.” The rear face, overlooking the church, records that the population of Birchington and Acol in August 1914 was 2622, with 474 men joining the armed forces, of whom 69 lost their lives. Three sides of the pedestal list the names of the casualties, accompanied by their rank and regiment, unit, or ship, starting with officers. The remaining side, facing west towards the church, contains the inscription: “THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE./ HAIL AND FAREWELL:/ ALL HONOUR GIVE/ TO THOSE WHO, NOBLY/ STRIVING, NOBLY FELL/ THAT WE MIGHT LIVE./ OXENHAM,” followed by, “WELL DONE FOR THEM/ AND FAIR ISLE, WELL/ FOR THEE/ WHILE THAT THY BOSOM/ BEARETH SONS LIKE THOSE/ THE LITTLE GEM/ SET IN THE SILVER SEA/ SHALL NEVER FEAR HER FOES./ ARNOLD.” An inscription runs around the front of the upper step of the base, detailing information related to the subscriptions raised to fund the memorial. The memorial is enclosed within a walled area at the eastern angle of the churchyard. The enclosure combines flint and brick walls with railings to the front, and gates on either side and to the rear. A stone plaque on the rear wall to the left commemorates the Second World War dead, listing 17 names. The plaque to the right also lists names, 16 in total, and records that the tablets were erected by the Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough of Margate in November 1952.