Kingston upon Thames War Memorial, War memorial sculpture in Kingston upon Thames, England
Description
Kingston upon Thames War Memorial is a bronze sculpture on a granite base located in Memorial Garden on Union Street. The central figure depicts an armed soldier holding a flaming torch and sword while protecting two children positioned at his side.
History
The memorial was created by Richard Reginald Goulden, a former Royal Engineers captain from World War I, between 1920 and 1924. It was built to honor the significant local losses during both world conflicts that followed.
Culture
Bronze panels on the memorial list local casualties from both World Wars, with verses from Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen inscribed below. Visitors who take time to read the names find a personal connection to those remembered here.
Practical
The memorial sits in a quiet garden and is easily accessible on foot with clear signage from Union Street. The site hosts annual Remembrance Sunday ceremonies when many locals gather to pay respects.
Did you know?
The bronze figure depicts a layered narrative where the soldier tramples a serpent beneath his feet while simultaneously defending children and holding a burning cross. This complex symbolism combines victory, protection, and spiritual reflection in one composition.
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