Memorial details

Memorial type
Sculptured / Cast figure
District
North Bedfordshire
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Country
England
Commemoration
Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 2nd June 1904
    Attended by: Unveiled by Lady Cowper, wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire who was unable to attend because of ill health. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford were also present.
  • Dedicated
    Date: 2nd June 1904
    Attended by: The Right Rev. Bishop Macrorie.
  • Show More (1)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
1866

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Current location

In front of The Swan Hotel.
The Embankment
Bedford
North Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
MK40 1RN
England

OS Grid Ref: TL 05100 49624
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
The bronze figure represents an infantry soldier in khaki service dress and full marching order, with helmet, valise, canteen, rolled coat, water-bottle, haversack, bayonet and two cartridge-pouches, the legs are covered with putties. The soldier is at "stand-easy" with his magazine rifle resting butt end on the ground with muzzle end at about 45 degrees clasped in his hand. The figure is larger than life size. The York stone pedestal is surrounded by railings. There are rectangular plaques on each side of the plinth with the names with steps up to make it easier to read the names which are raised from the face of the bronze.
Inscription
TO THE MEMORY OF / THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED / OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE / BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENTS AND OF / BEDFORDSHIRE MEN SERVING IN / OTHER BRANCHES OF THE IMPERIAL / FORCES, WHO LOST THEIR LIVES / IN THE / SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN / WHOSE NAMES ARE HEREON RECORDED / THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY / PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN THE COUNTY / WAR DECLARED OCTOBER 8TH 1899 / PEACE PROCLAIMED JUNE 1ST 1902
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Abbiss, F.
Abbott, G.
Abbott, T.
Adams, H.
Akham, J.
Aldridge, A.
Aldridge, J.
Allwood, A.
Anderson, H.
Anderson, J.
See details for all 243 names
Commemorations
  • Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    Total names on memorial: 237
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 237
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname,rank,regiment
    Order of information: Rank,surname
Components
  • Plinth
    Measurements: depth 760MM, height 2500MM, width 760MM
    Materials: Stone - York
  • Plaques
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Metal
  • Figure
    Measurements: height 1890MM
    Materials: Bronze
Listing information
  • Bedford Boer 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

Comments: The land was going to bought by Mr Hedley Baxter and given to the town but the Swan Hotel was bought by Mr Benison, he generously refused to sell but gave the land to the town provided all legal charges were paid. Mr Hedley Baxter stepped in and paid these so the site will cost the town nothing.
Memorial: £1062:16:8

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Reference
  • THE SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL UNVEILED www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001290/19040603/153/0010 Bedfordshire Mercury - Friday 03 June 1904 Detailed account of the ceremonies, list of the names and photograph of the figure on the memorial.
  • Carter Postcard Collection
  • Bedford Town Centre Statues: A Self-Guided Walk with Street Map by Stuart Antrobus p4
  • For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902 by Gildea, James p.1 Published:Eyre and Spottiswoode 1911 London

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.

This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.

This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:

© WMR-1866

For queries, please contact [email protected].