Walton-on-Thames War Memorial

The Walton-on-Thames War Memorial stands in a small memorial garden at the junction of Ashley Road, High Street, and New Zealand Avenue. It was erected as a memorial to those who died in the First World War, with later additions commemorating the Second World War and those who served in Iraq. The memorial consists of a large stone pier with semi-circular ends, set upon a two-stepped base. The plinth's slightly domed cap, featuring a decorative string course, supports an elaborate achievement of arms carved in stone and painted and gilded. This achievement, set on a heavily moulded base, features an arrangement of flags, with the Royal Arms displayed to the front and a shield bearing the cross of St George to the rear. The helm, mantling, and crown are rendered in the round.

The lower element of the string course is a frieze bearing the inscription “LET • US • NOW • PRAISE • FAMOUS • MEN • THEIR • GLORY • SHALL • NOT • BE • BLOTTED • OUT • THEIR • NAME • LIVETH • FOR • EVER.” Five bronze plaques, mounted on each face of the plinth and separated by bronze flambeaux, list the names of the commemorated men. An inscription carved in raised letters within a lozenge on the east flank of the plinth reads “SACRED/ TO THE/ MEMORY OF THE/ SOLDIERS & SAILORS/ OF WALTON-ON-THAMES/ WALTON WARD/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918.” An identical inscription, also within a lozenge, on the west flank commemorates “1939-1945/ IN/ REMEMBRANCE/ OF ALL THOSE MEN/ WOMEN & CHILDREN/ OF WALTON-ON-THAMES/ WHO LOST THEIR LIVES/ THROUGH ENEMY/ ACTION IN THE/ SECOND/ WORLD/ WAR.”

Two granite plinths, bearing inscriptions for the Second World War and for Iraq, stand in front of the First World War memorial. The garden also includes benches, litter bins, a low hedge to the rear and sides, and a chain carried on posts to the front; these are not included in the listing.