War Memorial Cross And Wall Plaque

War Memorial Cross and Wall Plaque, The Broadway, Amersham

This Grade II listed site comprises two war memorials: one commemorating the First World War and one the Second World War.

The First World War memorial, designed by local architect Philip M Johnstone and erected in 1921, is constructed of Portland stone. It consists of an ornate floriated cross bearing a figure of Christ, mounted on a tall slender shaft with chamfered edges containing a foliate design. The shaft is topped by an octagonal capital with floral carvings and rises from a square plinth with chamfered corners and an octagonal top section. This plinth sits upon a two-step base, the larger lower step featuring blind Gothic-style tracery. The entire structure is enclosed by a low free-standing moulded Portland stone surround on a paved surface, which was an original feature of the design as confirmed by an inter-war photograph showing it in the memorial's original location.

The incised inscription on the south face of the plinth, cut in Gothic script, reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN MEMORY OF THE / MEN OF AMERSHAM WHO / GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE / GREAT WAR FOR FREEDOM". Above this at the foot of the shaft is the date "A.D. / 1914-19". The names of 80 fallen are recorded on the remaining sides of the plinth.

The memorial was originally dedicated on 10 July 1921 by the Lord Bishop of Buckingham and unveiled by Brigadier-General RJ Cooper near St Mary's Church. It was built by The Art Memorial company. In 1949, the memorial was relocated to a new Garden of Remembrance laid out to the east of the church. This garden, opened by General Sir Bernard Paget, also included a pool with fountain and pavilion.

Situated just to the north of the First World War memorial is a rectangular bronze plaque set into a projection of a brick boundary wall. Dating from 1949 with designer unknown, this plaque commemorates those from the parish who fell in the Second World War. The inscription reads: "THIS GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE IS LAID OUT / IN HONOURED MEMORY OF THOSE FROM THIS / PARISH WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945", with the names of 60 fallen listed below.