Ipswich Cenotaph - Christchurch Park - Ipswich, Suffolk - World War I Memorials and Monuments on Waymarking.com

"In 1919 the mayor of Ipswich ,Mr E.C Ransome together with previous mayors formed a committee to discuss the idea of a war memorial to honour those who died in the first world war. Various sites in Ipswich were considered but due to its size, layout and beauty Christchurch Park was chosen. Of the designs submitted for consideration the eventual winner was by the architect Mr Edward Adams of Manchester. The building of the memorial was undertaken by local stonemasonry company Collins and Curtis located on Handford road, a company which the present contractor Paul Templeton of Suffolk Masonry Services one time managed. The name panels and bronze work adorning the cenotaph were sculptured by Earp, Hobbs and Miller of Manchester. Three models of the highly detailed trophy of arms were made and broken down before the four ton sculpture was accepted by the architect and war memorial committee.
The memorial was unveiled on the 16th May 1924 by Rear Admiral Sir Richard Webb and Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston commander of the 29th Division at both Gallipoli and France. A vast congregation joined in the words of Kiplings 'Recessional' after which the Bishop of the Diocese dedicated the memorial, 'The Last Post' was sounded by the Suffolk Regiment and a guard was posted to each of the four corners.

During the Second World War more Ipswich men and women served their country and over 600 made the ultimate sacrifice, the individuals names where not added to the memorial but instead the date '1939-1945' was inscribed.
In May 1995 the local newspaper published an open letter from 11 year old Sarah Bloomfield asking why her grandfathers name was not commemorated on the war memorial. It was thought that the cost involved of adding more plaques would be prohibitive so a roll of honour was produced with the help of the local Evening Star newspaper. This can be seen at the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in St Stephens Lane. Sarah will be reading a poem 'Who are these men?' at the dedication ceremony, the poem can be seen here.
Due to the interest in the roll of honour the local Royal British Legion then looked into having the names permanently added to the existing memorial. Fundraising was started and due to the contributions of local people, a donation from Ipswich Borough Council and the tireless fundraising efforts of Mr Peter Thompson (chairman of the RBL) an architect, Mr Anthony Rossi, was commissioned to design the extension and Suffolk Masonry Services of Ipswich were contracted to carry out the works. "

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Private or Public Monument?: Other Name of the Private Organization or Government Entity that built this Monument: Not known Geographic Region where the Monument is located: Europe Website for this Monument: [Web Link] Rate this waymark: Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes Date the Monument or Memorial was built or dedicated: Not listed Physical Address of Monument: Not listed

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