Chichester War Memorial

MATERIALS: Portland stone, slate

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is in the southern section of Litten Gardens and stands at the termination of a path. It is on a circular mound, and surrounded by a curvilinear limestone dwarf wall intersected by four stepped access paths.

The base of the memorial is octagonal in form and consists of two steps separated by a concave moulding. In turn vertical plaques form a 16-sided base with a dentil cornice, which supports the central shaft. Four buttress piers extending from the base are surmounted by pyramidal, crocketted finials.

The central shaft is octagonal and surmounted by an elaborately carved wheel-head cross. This is supported by four right angled carved brackets that frame the cross. The terminals of the cross are enriched with carved foliage, and the centre of the cross displays a rose motif.

A central south facing plaque, situated between Roll of Honour plaques, carries the carved inscription IN GRATEFUL/ REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE MEN OF/ CHICHESTER/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-19/ 1939-1945. The plaque also shows a carved relief of the Chichester coat of arms.

The 16 First World War Roll of Honour plaques are inscribed with the names of the 353 who fell. They are listed by military organisation and record the 60 different units in which they served.

At the base of the monument four Second World War plaques lie horizontally on the ground facing north, east, south, and west. They are inscribed with the names of the 255 men who fell in this subsequent conflict.

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, 5 December 2016