War Memorial

The War Memorial in Tewkesbury, dating from around 1920, is made of limestone. It features a tapered octagonal shaft topped with a moulded capital and a cross, all resting on an octagonal plinth that has a square base with diagonal buttresses at the center of each side, supporting four pinnacles. This structure is set on a broad three-step hexagonal base, with the lowest step having nosing, and it sits on a final rounded hexagonal platform, which is protected by six stone bollards.

The cross includes a central shield of arms, and the base displays six bronze plates inscribed with the names of the fallen, dated from 1914 to 1919. An additional plate has been added to honor those who served during the years 1939 to 1945, reading: "ALSO IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE 1939-45 WAR" and "ALSO IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY IN OTHER CONFLICTS: R. D. SODEN N.IRELAND 1972."

The memorial is located at the junction of the town's three main streets, on a site that was previously home to a medieval cross, which was demolished in 1650, and later a market hall. Historical records indicate that there was once a Tolsey or Town Hall at this location, described by Dyde in 1790 as "very old and of mean appearance," which was removed to improve traffic flow. The new Town Hall was built in High Street in 1788.