main content Chislehurst War Memorial

Bromley Road, Chislehurst, BR7

This memorial is well sited at the cross-roads of Chislehurst Common and is thereby very visible and well known. It was unveiled on Sunday 17th October 1920 by Lt Colonel F Edlmann, D.S.O. and the dedication was by the Rector of Chislehurst Rev. Canon Dawson. The memorial was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, R.A. and is about 8 metres tall and is similar to the traditional Imperial (later Commonwealth) War Graves Commission Cross and Sword of Sacrifice, seen in their cemeteries in many parts of the world. The Cross was made at the Torquay works of Messrs H.T. Jenkins & Son and the sword described as a `Crusader's Sword` was made by a Mr Bainbridge Reynolds. The whole memorial was erected by a local firm Messrs T. Rider & Son. The memorial, unlike the CWGC Memorials has the names inscribed of the 186 local men who died in the First World Work, and a further 65 who died in the Second World War.

The inscription for the First World War reads:-

"IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF CHISLEHURST WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919"

There is a more unusual wording for the Second World War:-

"THEY GAVE US PEACE BY THEIR WARFARE AND LIFE BY THEIR DEATH 1939-1945"