Other | War dead | WW1

WW1 cross at St Botolph's

Erection date: 4/8/1916

Inscription

{On four alternating faces of the octagonal plinth, reading clockwise from the south face:}

In memoriam, officers and men of the Honourable Artillery Company who died in the Great War.
August 4, 1916.

In memory of our brave dead of Bishopsgate, 1914 – 1916.

John Travers Cornwell VC of HMS Chester, the Battle of Jutland, June 1916, hero of 16 years.

Kitchener, June 5, 1916, Lest we forget.

Unlike the majority of war memorials this was erected while the war continued. Hell-fire corner knows of a printed Order of Service in the HAC Archives entitled 'Second Anniversary of the Great War, August 4th, 1916. Unveiling of Memorial Cross to Lord Kitchener by the Lord Mayor of London in the presence of the Hon. Artillery Company. Address by the Lord Bishop of Stepney'.

Site: WW1 cross at St Botolph's (1 memorial)

EC2, Bishopsgate, St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate churchyard

London's first memorial to WW1. The HAC grounds and HQ are reasonably nearby just north of the Archer site.

We thank Jamie Davis for finding this link to the British Pathe news film of the unveiling.

The BBC page that reports the centenary re-dedication seems to think the inscription honours all 640+ men who were lost on the HMS Hampshire, not just Kitchener, even though the inscription does not even mention the ship.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
WW1 cross at St Botolph's

Subjects commemorated i

World War 1

We'd always assumed that this war was known as the Great War until WW2 came a...

Read More

Honourable Artillery Company

London unit about which IanVisits writes "oldest surviving regiment in the Br...

Read More

Lord Kitchener

Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, K.G. Born near Ballylongford, Count...

Read More

Jack Cornwell, VC

Sailor. Born as John Travers Cornwell in Clyde Place, Leyton, he enlisted in ...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

William Duke of Cumberland

William Duke of Cumberland

W1, Cavendish Square

The original was in lead and gilt and was, apparently, London's first outdoor statue of a soldier.  The site was originally intended for ...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
September 11 Memorial Garden

September 11 Memorial Garden

W1, Grosvenor Square

From a nearby information board: "Each column of the pergola is formed from a single oak trunk. Three bronze plaques commemorate the 67 ...

68 subjects commemorated, 19 creators
mystery girl wall painting

mystery girl wall painting

NW3, Glenilla Road, 17-19

This very unusual wall painting was brought to our attention in July 2011 by the Camden History Society Newsletter.  There is a possible ...

1 subject commemorated
Lloyds TSB War Memorial

Lloyds TSB War Memorial

EC2, Aldermanbury

This is a small, simple monument, placed at pavement level, not raised on a plinth. Despite this, it has a dignity and gravitas that many...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Royal Hospital Chelsea - frieze

Royal Hospital Chelsea - frieze

SW3, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Middle Court

In our photo you can see the Latin text on the frieze to the arcade. The statue faces the building and backs the Thames, and the camera. ...

5 subjects commemorated