Oxford War Memorial

The Oxford War Memorial is situated at the N end of St Giles’ Street and stands to a height of 11.43m, and is made of Clipsham stone. It has a tapering octagonal shaft with a distinctive sculpted cross at the head with fleur-de-lys in the angles, and the ends of the cross are similar in design to the Corinthian order in classical architecture. The shaft stands on an octagonal pedestal, of which the principal side facing the City comprises the only inscription that was originally intended. This is flanked by the arms of the City and the University sculpted in stone, and the other five sides (going anti-clockwise) depict a horn, a cross surrounded by thorns, a St George’s Cross, a bird, and an anchor.

On one of the eight sides of the pedestal a carved plaque carries the inscription in ornate medieval-style carved raised lettering which reads IN / MEMORY / OF / THOSE WHO / FOUGHT AND / THOSE WHO / FELL / 1914–1918.

The octagonal base has seven steps. The second one from the ground is deeper and wider, to accommodate remembrance wreaths. It is also sometimes used as a seat.

The following two inscriptions were added in plain letters to the steps after the Second World War AND / 1939–1945. Below is AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES / IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 20 February 2017.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16 April 2025 to amend details in the description and add Source