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Bushmills

This war memorial is composed of granite with a two-stepped base and plinth, the inscriptions are contained on bronze plaques on the plinth and there is also a bronze wreath. On top of the plinth is a bronze figure of a soldier with an upraised rifle and bayonet.

The war memorial is located in an isolated ‘island’ position in Market Square, Bushmills, Northern Ireland.

In 2009, War Memorials Trust gave a grant of £2,500 towards a schedule of works for the memorial which included the rebuilding of the granite plinth as there were cracks in the stone which were continuing to increase. Previously, repairs had been carried out to the plinth by inserting three steel pins secured in epoxy resin to try and pin the stone, however, after observation it was apparent that the cracks were continuing to grow, therefore plinth had to be replaces. All fixings and cramps used were stainless steel, and all bedding and pointing was in hydraulic lime mortar of the same colour and texture as the original mortar. When this work was carried out, the base was disassembled and inspected for any necessary repairs, and the internal faces of the stone were cleaned and the suspected cause of the staining which were unsuitable cramps and fixings, were replaced with stainless steel ones. The rest of the stone elements of the memorial re-pointed using hydraulic lime mortar where required. Cleaning was carried out with water and bristle brushes.

The figure of the soldier, plaques, and other bronze work were examined and repaired as appropriate by a metal conservator as bronze work is a specialist field. On completion, all bronze work was re-fixed in their original positions.

The memorial is thought to have been erected in the early 1920s, and it was unveiled on 5th November 1921. The sculptor was Mr Charles Leonard Hartwell, and the builders were Messrs Christie. The war memorial commemorates those from the village and surrounding district that died in World War I and World War II.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM2906
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 6605

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

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