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Humphry Davy School/ Old Penwithians

The Memorial is located in the former school hall of Humphry Davy school, formerly Penwithians Grammar School, Penzance. The memorial is made up of five panels, six columns and an ornate frieze all carved in oak. The memorial is dedicated to the Old Penwithians who served in World War I. It records 278 names incised into the oak boards and highlighted using a gold leaf, as well as the names of 19 men who died, which are etched into brass plates attached to the memorial.

In 2013 War Memorials Trust offered a grant of £582 towards conservation works to the memorial. The wood panelling was splitting adjacent to the brass plates. The oak plinths were first stripped with a water based bio paint stripper then cleaned using a methylated spirit. The wood was sealed using a microcrystalline wax, paying particular attention to the areas of split timber. The gold lettering was touched up where necessary and finally a laquer was applied to the brass plates.

The memorial was originally funded by public subscription and is thought to have cost £230. The memorial was erected by local craftsman Mr Pezzack of Newlyn and a local builder, Mr F Berriman, and was unveiled and dedicated by Capt C E Venning, the Mayor of Penzance on December 17 in 1919.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM4477
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 26334

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

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