Tirah Memorial

The Tirah Memorial is an obelisk approximately 25 feet (7.5 meters) tall constructed from Bath stone with a Doulting stone base, positioned in central Oxford. The structure features carved details on the pedestal that mark it as a Grade II listed monument of historical importance.

The memorial commemorates 62 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry who died during the North West Frontier campaigns of 1897 to 1898. These conflicts marked significant military engagement in that region during the late 19th century.

The monument occupies the former burial ground of St Peter-le-Bailey parish church, creating a layered space where memory honors both the dead from the church and the soldiers commemorated. This connection to the site's past adds depth to its role as a place of remembrance for the local community.

The monument stands at the intersection of Queen Street and New Inn Hall Street next to the Westgate Shopping Centre, making it straightforward to locate. Its central Oxford position means you can visit it easily while exploring other parts of the city.

The carved wreath on the pedestal includes the number 52, referencing the battalion's previous designation as the 52nd Oxfordshire Regiment of the Line. This detail links the memorial to an earlier regimental identity that existed before the unit's reorganization.