Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Cenotaph

The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Cenotaph is a Portland limestone war memorial located in Brenchley Gardens, standing at approximately two-thirds the height of the Whitehall monument. The structure features a chest tomb topped with a moulded laurel wreath design and is designated as Grade II* listed.

Designed by renowned architect Edwin Lutyens and unveiled on July 30, 1921, the memorial commemorates 6,866 soldiers of the regiment who died during World War I. It became one of the key post-war monuments built across Britain to honor military losses from the conflict.

The memorial serves as a focal point where visitors and local communities gather to honor those who fell in conflict, with regular commemorative gatherings throughout the year. Its classical design and solemn setting within the gardens create a space for personal reflection and collective remembrance.

The memorial stands freely within Brenchley Gardens, open to visitors without restrictions or entry fees throughout the year. The site receives regular maintenance to protect the inscriptions and limestone surface from weathering and damage.

The memorial is one of only seven cenotaphs designed by Lutyens throughout England and one of just two dedicated specifically to a single regiment. This rarity makes it a distinctive example among post-war monuments built to honor particular military units.

Location: Maidstone

Inception: July 30, 1921

Architects: Edwin Lutyens

Made from material: Portland limestone

Address: Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone, Kent

GPS coordinates: 51.27715,0.52037

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:14