Memorial details

Memorial type
Serviceman / Servicewoman
District
Huntingdon
Town
Huntingdon
County
Cambridgeshire
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945), Post-1945 war or conflict
Maker
Lady Scott (Kathleen Scott) (Sculptor)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 11 November 1923
    Attended by: LORD SANDWICH
  • Rededicated
    Date: 11 November 1946
    Attended by: UNKNOWN
  • Dedicated
    Date: 11 November 1923
    Attended by: Archdeacon of Huntingford
  • Show More (2)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
293

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Current location

Market Square
Huntingdon
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 3NR
England

OS Grid Ref: TL 23800 71818
Denomination: Undefined

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Description
Two stepped base surmounted by a rectangular plinth and life size statue of a brooding or thinking soldier. He is depicted supporting himself against boxes. His right leg is out-stretched with his right foot heavily coated in mud and his left knee is bent. He holds his rifle in his right hand, the butt of which rests on the ground. He rests his chin on his right hand, the elbow of which is resting on his bent knee. He wears his tin hat with no chin strap present. An ex-soldier pointed out this was accurate as soldiers would tend to have the chin strap under the helmet.
Inscription
Front: TO THE MEN OF/ 1914 - 1918 WHO/ WROUGHT FOR MANKIND A GREAT/ DELIVERANCE/ ALSO TO THOSE WHO/ IN 1939 - 1945/ SERVED AND TRIED/ TO PRESERVE OUR/ GLORIOUS HERITAGE Rear: TO THOSE WHO IN/ THE MANY WARS/ AND CONFLICTS/ SINCE 1945/ SERVED AND DIED/ TO PRESERVE/ FREEDOM
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: no
    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
  • Post-1945 war or conflict
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: no
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Figure
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Pedestal
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone - Weldon
  • Tablet
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone - Portland
Listing information
  • Huntingdon 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
History
2003: A post 1945 inscription panel was added to the rear of the plinth. 2001: Statue was removed, restored and the plinth was replaced in the same stone as it had suffered from discolouration. The new plinth was designed to prevent the leaching of the metal into the stone and the base of the statue now over-hangs the plinth. The memorial has also been floodlit and a herringbone brick surround created. The stone from the original plinth will be kept by the town council. 2001: There were plans to move the memorial from its original site but campaigners prevented this from occuring. 1984: The statue was vandalised and the rifle broken. It was repaired by Mr C Saunders free of charge. 1948: Statue cleaned by Mr H Thackray free of charge. 1931 An offer to floodlight the memorial by the local Electricity Company was accepted by the Council. 1926: The base was damaged by a car and railings constructed around the memorial. 1923: Lettering became obscure so letters were painted.
Costs

Comments: Money for the memorial was raised through donation and a fete. Lady Scott forgoed her fees

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Reference
  • AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN: BRITISH FIRST WORLD WAR MEMORIALS by BOORMAN, DEREK 85, 86 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:SESSIONS 1988 YORK
  • Huntingdon & St Ives Evening News 1 / 29 June 2001
  • Huntingdonshire Post 28 February 2001; 04 July 2001
  • Local Publication/Booklet 'Huntingdon War Memorial' Huntingdon Women's Institute, (June 2001) Describes how the memorial was removed, restored and replaced.

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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