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Stowmarket memorial gates

The Grade II listed Stowmarket war memorial gates are located at Stowmarket Recreational Ground. The gates are composed of two brick columns surmounted by spherical stones either side of the wrought iron gates. There are a number of plaques attached the columns and the gates themselves. The inscriptions appear on the bronze plaques and commemorate the fallen of the First and Second World Wars.

In 2014 War Memorials Trust offered a grant of £1,250 towards the conservation of this memorial. The plaques were in poor condition and the discolouration of the bronze meant the names of the fallen were difficult to read. The plaques were cleaned and old layers of paint were removed, they were then patinated and protected with wax. Full details of the cleaning trials and details of the re-patination were sent to War Memorials Trust for approval before works were undertaken.

In 2021 a further grant of £9,480 was offered through the  Grants for War Memorials Scheme. This second project was to address the condition of the wrought iron gates. To facilitate this repair the gates had to be removed from site. They were lightly cleaned before being repainted and rehung. Some missing and damaged elements were replaced with new wrought iron elements. Heavy areas of rust were removed by flame cleaning. This method of cleaning is considered particularly appropriate for wrought iron as only rust and loose mill-scale is removed in the process.

The memorial was created in 1920; the wrought iron work was carried out by Messrs Bayliss, Jones and Bayliss, Victoria Works, Wolverhampton and the brickwork and ground works were carried out by Seamans and Son, Stowmarket. The memorial gates and First World War tablets were unveiled and dedicated on 13th February 1921 by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Sir T Courtenay Warner. After the Second World War, two tablets were added to the gates, which were unveiled and dedicated on Sunday 12th November 1950 by The Right. Hon the Earl of Stradbroke, The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM8226
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 4845

War Memorials Online: 157358

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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