Memorial details

Memorial type
Other structure
District
Southwark
Town
Dulwich
County
Greater London
Country
England
Commemoration
Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
Ceremony
  • Opened
    Date: 20 June 1903
    Attended by: Local Clergy/Dignitaries
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
47489

Support IWM

Donate with Just Giving

Any gift we receive makes a vital contribution to our ongoing work, from conserving our collection to supporting our public programme.

Make a Donation
Current location

Now known as the Old Library.
Dulwich College
51 College Road
Dulwich
Southwark
Greater London
SE21 7LF
England

OS Grid Ref: TQ 33185 72997
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
Library in English Renaissance style, of red brick and Portland stone, with floors of polished teak and fumigated oak bookcases and panelling. The main room, entered from an enclosed porch, is 50 ft by 25, and was for the boys. To the south east is a semi-octagonal room, 23 ft by 20ft for prefects, senior boys and committees. Dedicatory stone tablet on the north face of the building in the centre of a round- headed window. College arms carved in relief above the inscription. Figures on the parapet of Justice at the south, Mars, and Minerva at the north.
Inscription
SOUTH AFRICA/ 1899 - 1902/ DULCE ET DECORUM EST/ PRO PATRIA MORI/ (Names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    Total names on memorial: 10
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 10
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname,rank,regiment
    Order of information: surname
Components
  • Tablet
    Measurements: height 1500MM, width 250MM
    Materials: Stone
  • Library
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Figures
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Undefined
Listing information
Condition
History
Unknown date: name of Cpl E Beaumont was addedto the tablet. In 1933 and 1950 the then Master complained about the suitability of the building. In 1967 the architect Sir William Holford (1907-75) proposed the demolition of the Library and the Governors voted unanimously in favour, but the plan was successfully opposed by the Old Alleynians. The Library was superseded in 1982 by the Wodehouse Library. Now known as the Old Library, it is used for functions. 1990: figure of Justice had lost pans of her scales and Mars his sword.
Costs

Comments: Subscribed by members of the Alleyn Club and others. The architect's fee was 150 guineas and the sculptor was paid £105. The figure of Justice was donated by Lord Davey, Chairman of the Governors, and that of Minerva by the architect.
Memorial: £3,600.

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: The balance of £40 was put towards a portrait of A H Gilkes (c1850-1922) Master 1885-1914, by S Melton Fisher. In 1981 this hung in the Board Room.
Sponsorship
Other
Reference
  • For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902 by Gildea, James p.141 Published:Eyre and Spottiswoode 1911 London Identifies 11 casualties, including Tpr C C Bell, Ceylon Contingent, died of Enteric 22 March 1902 at Colombo, Ceylon, who is not on the tablet.
  • God's Gift: A Living History of Dulwich College by Sheila Hodges pp.251-2. Published:Heinemann 1981 London
  • Dulwich College: A History 1616-2008 by Jan Piggott 192-3, 205, 285,292,314, 377,378,385 Published:Dulwich College 2008 London
  • Dulwich College: A Brief History and Guide to the Buildings by J R Piggott pp.28-9, 35-7 Published:Dulwich College 1990
  • The Times 22 June 1903 p.6 Lord Davey performed the opening ceremony in the absence of the Bishop of Rochester. Lord Davey (1833-1907) was Chairman of the Governors.

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-47489

For queries, please contact [email protected].