Midsomer Norton War Memorial

The Midsomer Norton War Memorial is a First World War memorial built in 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. It is situated on the High Street of Midsomer Norton, positioned on a bridge over the River Somer.

This memorial is a scaled-down replica of the Cenotaph in London, designed by Edwin Lutyens, who granted permission to use his design under different materials. The structure features a three-stepped base made of Blue Keynton stone, topped with a cenotaph crafted from St Aldhelm stone. Bronze details adorn the memorial, including a wreath located on one of the side faces, beneath which is inscribed "THE/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD," accompanied by a small bronze plaque. This plaque commemorates that the memorial was erected by the ex-officers, N.C.O.s, and men of Midsomer Norton in memory of their comrades who fell in the Great War from 1914 to 1918.

On the front face of the cenotaph, a larger plaque reads, "IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE TWO GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918 – 1939 – 1945/ THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)." A second large plaque is located on the rear, inscribed with, "IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE TWO GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918 – 1939 – 1945/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)."