Plymouth Naval War Memorial

Plymouth Naval War Memorial

War memorial unveiled in 1924, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer with sculpture by Henry Poole. The Second World War extension was unveiled in 1954, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, with sculpture by Charles Wheeler and William McMillan.

The memorial is constructed of Portland stone ashlar with a large copper sphere and bronze plaques.

The primary monument takes the form of a massive stone obelisk rising from a stepped square base with corner projections. Each projection supports a lion couchant. Four ships' prows project from the apex of the obelisk, inspired by the rostral columns erected to celebrate Roman naval victories. The apex of the obelisk is stepped inwards, and above the branching ships' prows stand bronze figures representing the four winds, who bear a large copper sphere representing the earth.

Low down on each side of the obelisk is the naval badge of an anchor within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a naval crown. Between the lions are bronze plaques. The plaque to the south bears the inscription: "IN HONOUR OF THE NAVY / AND TO THE ABIDING MEMORY / OF THESE RANKS AND / RATINGS OF THIS PORT WHO LAID DOWN THEIR / LIVES IN THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE AND / HAVE NO OTHER GRAVE THAN THE SEA / AND THEIR COMRADES OF AUSTRALIA / SOUTH AFRICA NEWFOUNDLAND INDIA PAKISTAN / CEYLON FIJI GOLD COAST HONG KONG KENYA / MALAYA NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE AND BURMA / WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED". The plaques on the other faces commemorate actions with enemy land forces, single ship actions, and general actions at sea, including Jutland, with images of naval action in low relief. Around the base are plaques carrying the names of the dead, arranged by year of death and within each year by service and rank.

The Second World War extension takes the form of a sunken garden area enclosed by quadrant walls curving outwards from the obelisk to the landward (north) and also curving around the obelisk at the centre. The sunken area is reached by wide stepped walkways following the curve of the walls and wide steps leading from the centre of the obelisk. The walls are lined with bronze plaques bearing the names of those lost during the Second World War.

Standing against the walls at the centre, beneath the obelisk, are sculptural figures depicting two sailors on watch: a Royal Marine and a member of the maritime regiment of the Royal Artillery, both wearing duffel coats and holding binoculars. Between them is a stone plaque bearing a naval crown and the inscription: "1914-1918 1939-1945 / ALL THESE WERE HONOURED IN THEIR GENERATIONS / AND WERE THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES". Low walls define the steps and the northern boundary of the memorial. The entrance to the north is flanked by low piers holding bronze sculptures by Wheeler: Neptune to the west and a Nereid or mermaid to the east, both on paired marine horses. Stone paving surrounds the obelisk and forms paths within the garden enclosure.