Civil Service Rifles War Memorial, World War I memorial at Somerset House, England.
The Civil Service Rifles War Memorial is a rectangular column of Portland stone topped with a sculpted urn. Painted stone flags representing the Union Flag and regimental colors are carved directly into the structure.
The memorial was unveiled in 1924 by Edward, Prince of Wales, and honors around 1,240 members of the Civil Service Rifles who died in World War I. It stands as a record of civil servants from that generation who lost their lives in the conflict.
The memorial honors civil servants who left their administrative posts to become soldiers during World War I. It reflects the direct connection between the civil service and military sacrifice of the era.
The memorial stands on the riverside terrace of Somerset House, making it readily accessible to visitors. You can view it freely at any time while walking through the courtyard area.
The memorial features painted stone flags carved directly into the structure, a technique architect Edwin Lutyens used in several of his other monuments. This distinctive carved detail sets it apart from typical war memorials and shows Lutyens' special approach to monument design.
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