- Type of Memorial
- Composite
- WMR Reference Number
- 2049
- Description
- An octagonal Hall of Classical design with a domed roof. On each of the four alternate sides are side chapels and a portico and against the remaining walls are granite pedestals on which are four allegorical figures representing the services.
The figures represent:
The Navy: Bare-chested sailor crouches and holds a coil of rope in one hand and the wheel of a ship in the other
The Army: Bare-chested soldier crouches and rests a tin helmet on his left leg and rests his right hand on the barrel of a machine gun
The Air Force: Bare-chested figure crouches and holds blade and aerlions of an aircraft in his left hand and another item in the other
Women's Service: Woman crouches down whilst holding a wreath in her left hand with arm out stretched
Inside the Hall are three relief panels. Each with an incised inscription at the base:
Panel One: A wife says goodbye to her husband as he joins other civilians to march off to the war
Panel Two: Soldiers fighting in the trenches, wounded comrades slump out of line
Panel Three: The aftermath of war with wounded soldiers returning home
Books of Remembrance recording the names of casualties are contained within a glass case with a dedicatory inscription on a marble tablet.
- Inscription
- INTERIOR RELIEFS:
(PANEL ONE): OF THE 150,000 WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO ARMS / 12,320 FELL: 35,000 CAME HOME DISABLED
(PANEL TWO): AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN / THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
(PANEL THREE): SEE TO IT THAT THEY SHALL NOT HAVE / SUFFERED AND DIED IN VAIN
(OUTSIDE, FOUNDATION PLAQUE): 1914 - 1918. / TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE / HEROIC DEAD / THIS STONE WAS LAID BY / H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G. / JUNE 12TH 1923.
INSCRIPTION UNDER ROLLS OF HONOUR: INSCRIBED ON THESE ROLLS OF HONOUR / ARE THE NAMES OF / THE CITIZENS OF BIRMINGHAM / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE WORLD WARS 1914 - 1918 AND 1939 - 1945
INTERNAL PLAQUE: THIS BUILDING IS / ERECTED TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / & IN MEMORY OF / THE MEN & WOMEN / OF THIS CITY WHO / FELL IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1918 / OPENED BY HRH / PRINCE ARTHUR OF / CONNAUGHT KG / JUNE 12TH 1923
WW1 centenary tablet: This stone was unveiled by/ the Lord Mayor of Birmingham/ Councillor Yvonne Mosquito/ on 11 November 2018/ To commemorate the centenary of/ the end of the First World War/ 1914 - 1918/ 'Their name liveth for evermore'
WW2 citizens of Birmingham plaque: TO THE/ IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE/ CITIZENS OF BIRMINGHAM/ WHO WERE KILLED IN THE/ 1939 - 1945 WAR
