Oxford University Press War Memorial

First and Second World War memorial. Erected in 1920. Architect unknown.

MATERIALS: Carved in Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: Oxford University Press War Memorial stands at the south west side of the main quadrangle of the University Printing House. The monument faces south west.

The memorial comprises a free-standing square pillar of Portland stone approximately 1.5 metres high with inscriptions on the front and two sides. It stands on a square stone base, and is set in a gravelled area surrounded on three sides by a low wall. The pillar stands on a chamfered, square base. The top of the pillar is finished with an architrave, plain frieze, and a projecting cornice. This is surmounted by a moulded, chamfered cap stone, rounded to form a small dome.

The south west side of the pillar is carved with the coat of arms of the University of Oxford in relief. Below, the memorial is inscribed TO THE MEMORY / OF THE MEN FROM / THE OXFORD / UNIVERSITY PRESS / WHO DIED FOR / THEIR COUNTRY IN / THE GREAT WAR./ 1914 – 1918. The north and south sides are inscribed with the names of the fallen. Those from the Second World War are listed on the south side, beneath the dates 1939 – 45.