Oxford War Memorial

The Oxford War Memorial is located at the northern end of St Giles’ Street and stands 11.43 meters tall, constructed from Clipsham stone. It features a tapering octagonal shaft topped with a sculpted cross, which has fleur-de-lys in the angles and ends designed in a style reminiscent of the Corinthian order from classical architecture. The shaft is mounted on an octagonal pedestal, with the main side facing the City displaying the original inscription, flanked by the arms of the City and the University sculpted in stone. The other five sides, moving anti-clockwise, show a horn, a cross surrounded by thorns, a St George’s Cross, a bird, and an anchor.

One side of the pedestal includes a carved plaque with an ornate medieval-style inscription that reads "IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND THOSE WHO FELL 1914–1918."

The octagonal base is raised on seven steps, with the second step being deeper and wider to allow for remembrance wreaths and occasionally serving as a seat.

After the Second World War, two additional inscriptions were added in plain letters to the steps: "AND 1939–1945" and "AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY."