Memorial details

Memorial type
Obelisk
District
Solihull
Town
Meriden
County
West Midlands
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945)
Maker
Messrs J White and Sons (Designer)
Messrs J White and Sons (Builder)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 21 May 1921
    Attended by: Earl of Birkenhead (Lord Chancellor)
  • Rededicated
    Date: 1963
    Attended by: Undefined
  • Dedicated
    Date: 21 May 1921
    Attended by: Rev. B. G. Bourchier
  • Show More (2)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
17575

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Current location

The Green
Birmingham Road
Meriden
Solihull
West Midlands
CV7 7LP
England

OS Grid Ref: SP 23963 82239
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
Base and pedestal surmounted by obelisk. WW1 dedicatory inscription carved into one side in gold lettering. WW2 inscription on a metal plaque attached to the pedestal. Third dedicatory inscription, in gold lettering, to all cyclists who died serving their country.
Inscription
6 O'CLOCK FACE: TO THE / LASTING MEMORY / OF THOSE / CYCLISTS / WHO DIED IN THE / GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919 9 O'CLOCK FACE: IN REMEMBRANCE / OF THOSE / CYCLISTS / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN WORLD WAR II / 1939 - 1945 12 O'CLOCK FACE: IN LASTING MEMORY/ OF ALL /CYCLISTS/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ WHEN SERVING/ THEIR COUNTRY
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Obelisk
    Measurements: height 9100mm
    Materials: Granite
Listing information
  • CYCLISTS WAR MEMORIAL
  • Grade II
  • This memorial is protected, and listed on the National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England. View list entry
  • More about listing and the protection of historic places can be found on the Historic England website
  • Historic England
Condition
Costs

Memorial: £1200 0s 0d

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Reference
  • Coventry Evening Telegraph - Tuesday 17 May 1921 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000337/19210517/085/0005 CYCLING. [By ROVER.] Do not forget, the Cyclists` War Memorial at Meriden will be unveiled on Saturday next, the 21st inst. All cyclists who can possibly do so should make point of attending this ceremony.
  • Lewisham Borough News 1921
  • "Stand To!" p23-28/ September 2012 Published: Western Front Association "The Great War and Anfield Bicycle Club" by David Birchall
  • Rugby Evening Telegraph 10 May 1999
  • Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 25 May 1937 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19370525/005/0003 More than 5000 cyclists attend special service.
  • Rugby Advertiser 27 May 1921
  • Leamington Spa Courier - Friday 27 May 1921 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000635/19210527/171/0007?browse=true …… The memorial is of unpolished grey granite, and the letters of the inscription are deeply cut in upon the side of the pedestal, which faces the main road. They depend upon shadow for their effect. The erection is of a very solid character, being 30 feet high, and standing upon 30 tons of concrete. The granite itself weighs 40 tons, and the concrete inside 10 tons. The total cost was £1.200.
  • Nottingham Evening Post - Saturday 21 May 1921 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000321/19210521/024/0002 CYCLISTS' WAR MEMORIAL. To-day National Cyclists' pilgrimage will take place to Meriden, a small village which claims to be the centre spot of England. There at 6 p.m. an obelisk of grey granite will be unveiled to the memory of the cyclists who fell in the war. Altogether it is anticipated that more than 5,000 cyclists from all parts the country will arrive in the village to take part in this ceremony. The inscription upon the obelisk will be: To the lasting Memory of those Cyclists who fell in the Great War. Lord Birkenhead, himself an old cyclist, will perform the ceremony of unveiling.
  • Cycling 04 November 1920; 19 May 1921; 26 May 1921; 02 June 1921

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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