Plymouth Naval Memorial

The Plymouth Naval Memorial, one of three in England, honors Royal Navy personnel lost at sea during the World Wars. Designed by Sir Robert Lorimer with sculptures by Henry Poole, it was unveiled by HRH Prince George in 1924. An extension by Sir Edward Maufe, with sculptures by Charles Wheeler and William McMillan, was added after World War II, unveiled by HRH Princess Margaret in 1954.

Located on Plymouth Hoe, overlooking Plymouth Sound, the memorial features a Portland stone obelisk adorned with ship prows, inspired by Roman rostral columns. Each corner of the stepped base supports a lion couchant, while naval badges and laurel wreaths decorate the lower sections. At its apex, bronze figures of the four winds hold a copper sphere, symbolizing the Earth. A hidden maintenance room inside houses a ladder used for servicing the lightning conductor.

The memorial commemorates 7,251 sailors from World War I and 15,933 from World War II, including those from Australia, South Africa, India, and other Commonwealth nations. The Newfoundland Memorial in France records 229 sailors lost in World War I, while other naval memorials exist in Canada, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it became Grade II listed in 1975, upgraded to Grade I in 2016 for the Battle of Jutland centenary.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Mick Lobb