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The Kitchener Memorial

The square battlemented tower is constructed from stone which was quarried closed to the war memorial site. On the landward facing elevation there is an inset granite tablet which includes a commemorative inscription to the men of H.M.S. Hampshire. The memorial is located on the top of the cliffs Marwick Head overlooking the site of where H.M.S Hampshire sunk.

In 2015 a grant of £30,000 was offered for repair and conservation work. As the memorial sits on an exposed cliff edge next to the sea, this location means that the memorial has had to withstand extensive weathering since its construction. This had led to the cracking of the mortar within the joints and on the surrounding hard landscaping, which was allowing water to get into the memorial. In addition, there had been some alterations to the memorial. The original door had been blocked up preventing access inside the tower, while the inscription on the commemorative plaque was also difficult to read as some lead letters were missing. To address these issues the failed mortar was carefully raked out and then re-pointed and repairs undertaken to the surrounding hard landscape. The original access in the tower has been opened up and a door to match the original fitted. This has allowed access into the base of the tower for maintenance purposes. In addition, repair works were undertaken at roof level and the missing lead letters from the plaque were replaced on a like-for-like basis.

The tower was built by local contractor W. Liddle to a design by local architect J. M. Bakie. The project cost £734 which was raised by public subscription through an appeal launched following a public meeting on the 8^th August 1916. The local committee oversaw the fundraising, construction and subsequent opening by Lord Home some 10 years later. The unveiling was attended by an estimated 5,000 people and included a 19 gun salute by H.M.S. Royal Sovereign.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM9006
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 13381

War Memorials Online: 190350

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

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