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Chesham
Town or City: Chesham
County: Buckinghamshire
Country: England
WMT Reference Number: WM5196
Value of grant: £790.00
Type of memorial: Freestanding
Type of work: Conservation and repair
Grant scheme: WMT Grant Scheme
Year: 2016
UKNIWM reference number: 1945
This war memorial is a Portland limestone pedestal with six bronze panels on the south and north of the pedestal commemorating the Chesham men who fell in World War One. The pedestal is surmounted by a Portland limestone statue of a soldier in full battle dress. The pedestal bares relief panels to sides. The western panel depicts a naval gun crew, whilst the eastern panel depicts a group of pilots surrounding a biplane. Later Portland limestone pillars with bronze plaques were added after World War Two. A small garden area around the monument is defined by a stone kerb, and a low chain link fence suspended on wooden posts.
In 2016 War Memorials Trust offered a grant of £790 towards woks to clean the memorial using steam cleaning and for the application of a microcrystalline wax to the bronze plaques. The cleaning removed discolouration caused by organic growth and pollution and achieved limited success in the removal of painted graffiti, however it was recognised that further cleaning may be required.
The statue was designed by Arthur George Walker and modelled upon a soldier recently returned from Flanders. The statue was unveiled in The Broadway in July 1921. The statue was positioned facing south, in order that the sun would shine on the soldier's face throughout the day. The memorial is one of seven of a similar design, the others being located at Dartford, Heston, Hounslow, Ironbridge, Sevenoaks and Wolverhampton. Only the Chesham and Heston memorials are sculpted from stone, the others being cast in bronze.
The inscription reads:
To The Glorious Memory Of The Men Of This Town Who Gave Their Lives And To Honour All Who Served Or Suffered In The Cause Of God King And Country Their Deeds Live After Them Faithful Unto Death 1914 - 1918
Further information
War Memorials Trust reference WM5196
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 1945
War Memorials Online: 120601
If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org
