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Speen

Speen war memorial sits on a triangular patch of grass at the junction of Speen Lane and Bath Road. It is formed of a brick column on a Portland stone plinth surmounted by an ornate stone cross. The front face of the column carries two stone tablets: the upper lists the names of 15 World War I fallen, while the lower lists 6 men who died in World War II. A dedication to the fallen can be found on the rear face of the stone frieze at the top of the column.

In 2014, War Memorials Trust offered a grant of £1,008 through the Small Grants Scheme. The works included repointing with non-cementitious lime mortar, removing the lead flashing at the base of the cross, refixing and repairing loose bollards and fitting chains between the bollards. The work was completed in 2015.

The memorial was designed by Mr W.A. Forsythe of Hanover Square, London, while the building work was undertaken by Mr E.B. Hitchman of Newbury. Mr Blair of Eton was responsible for the carving while the lettering was completed by Messrs Thorn and Sons of Newbury. The memorial was dedicated in August 1921 and has been repaired on a number of occasions, including in 1974 and 1991 when it was hit by a car.

The inscription on the rear face of the memorial reads:

They died that those
they loved might live

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM6822
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 9094

War Memorials Online: 143846

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

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