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A commemorative structure in the form of a pylon, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for HM Office of Works in 1919; the permanent version was erected in 1920. Lutyens described it succinctly as ‘an Empty Tomb uplifted on a high pedestal’. Rectangular in plan, at the top is a plain tomb chest, with moulded cover, on which lies a large laurel wreath. It stands on a three-staged base, which in turn stands on a tall shaft, set back towards its upper section. Beneath is the two-stage base, with cyma recta moulding to the foot of the shaft. The dates for the World Wars are inscribed in Roman numerals on the base level above the shaft (those for the First War on either end, those for the Second on the sides). On either end, at the upper corners of the shaft, are carved stone bosses with laurels suspended by stone fillets: these were carved by the celebrated sculptor Francis Derwent Wood.
Title
Cenotaph
Date
1919–1920
Medium
Portland stone & flags
Measurements
H 1050 x W 450 x D 260 cm
Accession number
SW1A_TJ_S029
Acquisition method
funded by HM Office of Public Works
Work type
War memorial
Custodian
English Heritage
Work status
extant
Listing status
Grade I (England and Wales)
Unveiling date
11th November 1920
Listing date
05/02/70
Access
at all times
Inscription description
inscription to front and rear elevation: THE GLORIOUS DEAD; inscription to front: MCM / XIV; rear: MCM / XIX; side: MCM / XLV; side: MCM / XXXIX