Kingswood and Tadworth War Memorial

First World War memorial. Designed by Frederick Bligh Bond and unveiled in 1920. Names of the fallen of the Second World War subsequently added.

MATERIALS: Doulting limestone. DESCRIPTION: the memorial, which stands on the open space to the west of St Andrew's churchyard, takes the form of a Celtic cross with carved strap work decoration. The tapering, square-section shaft is set on an octagonal tapering plinth with a three tier octagonal base, later topped with stone slabs. The shaft carries a carved symbol showing two birds eating from the Tree of Life, representing the immortality of the soul. The dedication of the front of the plinth reads ‘1914-1918/ IN LASTING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO/ FOUGHT & DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY’. Above the inscription and on the other three principal sides of the plinth are recorded the 60 names of the fallen from the First World War. The two side faces bear the additional inscription ‘KINGSWOOD’ and ‘TADWORTH’. The rear face has the inscription ‘WE SHALL SERVE OUR GENERATIONS./ OUR REST WE EXPECT ELSEWHERE:/ THAT WILL BE DURABLE.’.

On the front face of the top tier of the base, the inscription reads: ‘1939-1945/ IN LASTING MEMORY OF THOSE/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY’ with the names of the 62 fallen from the Second World War on the front faces of the upper two tiers.

Adjoining the rear of the memorial is a small paved area with the central stone bearing the inscription: IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THE/ PRINCESS LOUISE FUSILIERS/ & 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA/ WHO WERE STATIONED LOCALLY/ AND GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR OUR FREEDOM/ 1939-1945’.