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Bridgnorth
Town or City: Bridgnorth
County: Shropshire
Country: England
WMT Reference Number: WM325
Value of grant: £560.00
Type of memorial: Freestanding
Type of work: Restoration
Grant scheme: English Heritage/Wolfson Foundation Grants
Year: 2003
UKNIWM reference number: 13836
Bridgnorth war memorial stands in Castle Gardens on East Castle Street. The bronze figure of a soldier of the Shropshire Light Infantry stands arm outstretched, in the act of throwing a grenade or bomb, atop a plinth with pediment. An inscription and names are found on plaques on the sides of the plinth. The memorial is within the Castle Grounds conservation area and is Grade II listed.
The memorial has received multiple grants and the summary details of this record relate to the most recent grant.
In 2000 the Small Grants Scheme gave a grant of £200 to assist with the costs of replacing the missing bayonet, cleaning and waxing the statue. Sadly just months after the re-dedication service the bayonet was deliberately sawn off.
In June 2001 a grant of £675 was give through the English Heritage Grants for the Repair and Conservation of War Memorials scheme. The money supported a project to replace the stolen bayonet stolen the year before and other repairs.
In June 2003 a further grant of £560 was give through the English Heritage Grants for the Repair and Conservation of War Memorials scheme. Again the bayonet had been damaged; on this occasion it was likely to have been due to vandalism and the use of the bayonet as the support for a swing. Due to the ongoing problem an alternative to the previous like-for-like replacement was determined upon (this is a very rare decision as normally like-for-like is required to maintain the integrity of the memorial). The replacement bayonet blade was constructed in resin with the mould retained in case it was required again in the future. The resin was coloured to match the blade.
The memorial was unveiled on 9 March 1920 with a re-dedication service in November 1950. It was designed by Adrian Jones, who was born in Shropshire.
Further information
War Memorials Trust reference WM325
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 13836
The memorial is listed building number 486986.
More information about the sculptor Adrian Jones.
If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org
