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  • Use this image under non-commercial licence

    This image was created and shared by: Graham Blew

    The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Graham Blew (WMR-63816)

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  • Use this image under non-commercial licence

    This image was created and shared by: Graham Blew

    The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Graham Blew (WMR-63816)

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Memorial details

Memorial type
Stone of remembrance
District
Dartford
Town
Swanscombe
County
Kent
Country
England
Commemoration
Norman Conquest (1066-1072), Peace and Anti-War memorials
Maker
Sidney Loweth FRIBA FRSA FSA, Hilary Stratton FRBS
Ceremony
  • Rededicated
    Date: 1995
    Attended by: Local Clergy/Dignitaries
  • Unveiled
    Date: 22 September 1958
    Attended by: LORD LIEUTENANT OF KENT
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
63816
Current location

In the old churchyard.
St Peter and St Paul Church
Swanscombe St
Swanscombe
Dartford
Kent
DA10 0BA
England

OS Grid Ref: TQ 60421 73967
Denomination: Church of England

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • Manor Park
    Swanscombe
    Dartford
    Kent
    England

    OS Grid Ref: TQ 590 740
    Denomination: Undefined
  • On the A2
    Watling Street
    Swanscombe
    Dartford
    Kent
    England

    OS Grid Ref: TQ 590 740
    Denomination: Undefined
Description
Stone memorial with shield with White Horse of Kent in relief and motto 'INVICTA'. Beneath this is a sculptured relief with to the left two Normans armed and in armour. Centrally is another Norman, presumably William, in armour with sheathed sword, holding a shield incised with fleur-de-lis. To the right, facing these three men, are four helmeted figures, one with a sword, holding tree branches. The inscription is below this.
Inscription
INVICTA/ NEAR THIS SPOT IN THE YEAR 1067, BY ANCIENT TRADITION/ THE MEN of KENT AND KENTISH MEN, CARRYING BOUGHS ON/ THEIR SHOULDERS AND SWORDS IN THEIR HANDS, MET THE/ INVADER, WILLIAM, DUKE of NORMANDY. THEY OFFERED PEACE/ IF HE WOULD GRANT THEIR ANCIENT RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES/ OTHERWISE WAR AND THAT MOST DEADLY. THEIR REQUEST/ WAS GRANTED AND FROM THAT DAY THE MOTTO OF KENT/ HAS BEEN INVICTA, MEANING UNCONQUERED.
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • Norman Conquest (1066-1072)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
  • Peace and Anti-War memorials
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Tablet
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
Listing information
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Reference
  • Illustrated London News 4 Oct. 1958 p.559. Illustration of the unveiling by Lord Cornwallis. The memorial was erected by the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men. (The Association was founded in 1897 to create a body that would further the good name of Kent and its people. Traditionally Men of Kent are those from east of the Medway, and Kentish Men from the west. )
  • Other website swanscombe.com/newsevents/history.asp

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-63816

For queries, please contact memorials@iwm.org.uk.