Abingdon-on-Thames War Memorial

The Abingdon-on-Thames War Memorial stands in The Square, at the intersection of High Street, Ock Street, and Bath Street, surrounded by several other buildings of group value. It is a tall, rectangular Portland stone pylon set upon a plinth. Blue Pennant stone columns are positioned at each corner of the pylon, supported by pedestals at the corners of the plinth. These columns support an entablature featuring a plain architrave, a frieze with alternating triglyphs, metopes, and dentils, and a deep cornice. A large stone block, decorated with small, low-relief wreaths on each face, sits atop the cornice.

The front face of the pylon displays a large bronze panel depicting a mourning soldier in profile, rendered in relief. He rests his hands on the butt of a reversed rifle and wears his cap, with his helmet hanging from his pack and a water bottle at his waist. Below the panel, on the front of the plinth, an inscription reads "TO THE / IMPERISHABLE MEMORY / OF OUR / GALLANT DEAD." To the left of this inscription is "WORLD / WAR 1 / 1914 – 1918," and to the right, "WORLD / WAR 2 / 1939 – 1945."

The rear face of the pylon bears the inscription "ABINDONIANS / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR / (NAMES)." Below, on the plinth, the principal dedicatory inscription reads: "THIS MEMORIAL / IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE / TO THE MEN OF THIS TOWN / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT OTHERS MIGHT / LIVE IN FREEDOM AND PEACE. / DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI." An inscription commemorating those who lost their lives on active service since 1945, “(NAME) / N. IRELAND 1981,” is recorded on the left face of a pedestal.

Smaller shields, below which are listed further names, are ornamented on the panels to either side of the pylon. The east face of the plinth displays 1939 – 1945 / ARMY / (NAMES), while the west face shows 1939 – 1945 / ROYAL NAVY / (NAMES) / ROYAL AIR FORCE / (NAMES).