Tunbridge Wells War Memorial

Tunbridge Wells War Memorial, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD

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Overview

First World War memorial by Stanley Nicholson Babb (1874-1957), with plaques added for the Second World War, unveiled 11 February 1923. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1401309
Date first listed:: 09-Jun-2011
List Entry Name:: Tunbridge Wells War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Tunbridge Wells War Memorial, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1401309
Date first listed:: 09-Jun-2011
List Entry Name:: Tunbridge Wells War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Tunbridge Wells War Memorial, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Tunbridge Wells War Memorial, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Kent
District:: Tunbridge Wells (District Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ5847539521

Summary

First World War memorial by Stanley Nicholson Babb (1874-1957), with plaques added for the Second World War, unveiled 11 February 1923.

Reasons for Designation

Tunbridge Wells war memorial, by Stanley Nicholson Babb, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by this community in the First and Second World Wars, it is of strong historic and cultural significance both at a local and a national level. * Artistic interest: the bronze sculpture by Stanley Nicholson Babb is a powerful and expressive piece of work. * Group value: although the memorial pre-dates the civic complex, these listed buildings provide a handsome and fitting setting for the memorial.

History

The war memorial was unveiled by Colonel Viscount Hardinge and the Guard of Honour was provided by the 4th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. From the roof of a house in Calverley Parade, buglers sounded the Last Post and Reveille.

The monument stands in front of Tunbridge Wells' listed civic complex, which was built in 1939. The site of the complex was previously occupied by Calverley Parade and Calverley Terrace, part of the Calverley Estate designed by the architect Decimus Burton in the early C19. The retaining wall into which the memorial is set is a remnant of this earlier scheme, and contributes to its strong setting.

Details

MATERIALS: Stone wall with bronze figure and plaques.

Set within a low retaining wall facing out towards Mount Pleasant, and in front of Tunbridge Wells' civic complex, which includes the town hall and the public library and museum, the memorial takes the form of a smooth-faced stone wall, set back approximately 1.5 metres from the pavement edge, with returning wings. To the centre of the wall is a raised plinth on which stands a bronze figure of a soldier, fully equipped for combat, his rifle with bayonet lowered and held in both hands across his body. The soldier's helmet is at his feet. The following inscription is spelt-out in bronze letters on the plinth: OUR GORIOUS DEAD / 1914 - 1918 / HONOUR GRATITUDE / PRAISE / 1939 - 1945. A laurel wreath is carved in relief below.

The wall is lined with bronze plaques bearing the Roll of Honour. On each of the flanking wings is a bronze lamp with a laurel garland carved beneath.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 1 December 2016.

Sources

Books and journals
Mav, G, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Old Picture Postcards, (1999)
Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 01/12/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/120990
War Memorials Register, accessed 01/12/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1540

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.