University of Reading War Memorial | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
For approximately 200 men and women from Reading killed in war | |
Unveiled | 1924 |
Location |
51°27′01.6″N 00°57′40.3″W / 51.450444°N 0.961194°W |
Designed by | Herbert Maryon |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | University of Reading War Memorial |
Designated | 12 February 1987 |
Reference no. | 1113620 |
The University of Reading War Memorial is a clock tower, designed by Herbert Maryon and situated on the London Road Campus of the University of Reading. Initially designed as a First World War memorial and dedicated in June 1924, it was later expanded in scope to also serve as a memorial of later wars.
Memorials to servicemen who died in the First World War were erected soon after the end of the conflict. [1] Plans to build a permanent memorial at the University of Reading unfolded in 1919, when William Macbride Childs, the principal of the college, printed a pamphlet suggesting several ideas. [2] The final design was ultimately made by Herbert Maryon, a teacher of sculpture at the university; [2] he would later gain broad recognition in a second career at the British Museum, where he conserved many of the finds from the Sutton Hoo ship-burial, termed "the most important single discovery in British archaeology." [3] His initial proposal, made in 1919, was for a tower of 120 feet (37 m) that would have cost between £5,000 and £10,000. [1] The funds could not be raised, and in 1923 Maryon proposed a structure of half that height. [1] [2] Construction began that November, and the memorial was dedicated the following June. [2] The finished memorial, which cost £2,750, is a 60-foot-tall (18 m) brick tower with a clock, a bell, and a bronze roll of honour listing the names of more than 140 people who died in the war. [2] [4]
The scope of the memorial was expanded following the Second World War, and in May 1953 a panel with more than 70 names of the dead from that conflict was unveiled. [1] [2] [4] [5] It now also commemorates those who died in the war in Afghanistan; [2] in 2012 a plaque was unveiled honouring Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, MBE, a 1991 graduate of the University whose 2009 death made him the highest-ranking officer of the British Army killed in action since the Falklands War. [6]
On 12 February 1987, the memorial was designated a grade II listed building, a status given for its special architectural or historic interest. [7]
On 9 November 2018, the University of Reading announced plans to add nine additional names of servicemen who died in the First World War to the memorial. [8] [9] [10]
University of Reading War Memorial | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
For approximately 200 men and women from Reading killed in war | |
Unveiled | 1924 |
Location |
51°27′01.6″N 00°57′40.3″W / 51.450444°N 0.961194°W |
Designed by | Herbert Maryon |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | University of Reading War Memorial |
Designated | 12 February 1987 |
Reference no. | 1113620 |
The University of Reading War Memorial is a clock tower, designed by Herbert Maryon and situated on the London Road Campus of the University of Reading. Initially designed as a First World War memorial and dedicated in June 1924, it was later expanded in scope to also serve as a memorial of later wars.
Memorials to servicemen who died in the First World War were erected soon after the end of the conflict. [1] Plans to build a permanent memorial at the University of Reading unfolded in 1919, when William Macbride Childs, the principal of the college, printed a pamphlet suggesting several ideas. [2] The final design was ultimately made by Herbert Maryon, a teacher of sculpture at the university; [2] he would later gain broad recognition in a second career at the British Museum, where he conserved many of the finds from the Sutton Hoo ship-burial, termed "the most important single discovery in British archaeology." [3] His initial proposal, made in 1919, was for a tower of 120 feet (37 m) that would have cost between £5,000 and £10,000. [1] The funds could not be raised, and in 1923 Maryon proposed a structure of half that height. [1] [2] Construction began that November, and the memorial was dedicated the following June. [2] The finished memorial, which cost £2,750, is a 60-foot-tall (18 m) brick tower with a clock, a bell, and a bronze roll of honour listing the names of more than 140 people who died in the war. [2] [4]
The scope of the memorial was expanded following the Second World War, and in May 1953 a panel with more than 70 names of the dead from that conflict was unveiled. [1] [2] [4] [5] It now also commemorates those who died in the war in Afghanistan; [2] in 2012 a plaque was unveiled honouring Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, MBE, a 1991 graduate of the University whose 2009 death made him the highest-ranking officer of the British Army killed in action since the Falklands War. [6]
On 12 February 1987, the memorial was designated a grade II listed building, a status given for its special architectural or historic interest. [7]
On 9 November 2018, the University of Reading announced plans to add nine additional names of servicemen who died in the First World War to the memorial. [8] [9] [10]