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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    National Submariners War Memorial

    Memorial Insitu

    Source: Copyright Rupert Harris

    1/6

    Current Location

    On wall of Embankment by Temple Steps near Blackfriars Bridge, River Wall, Victoria Embankment, Temple, City Of London, Greater London, EC4Y 0HA, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TQ 31198 80796

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-11601

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    Type of Memorial
    Sculptured / Cast group
    WMR Reference Number
    11601
    Description
    Bronze relief panelling depicting four naval figures in the interior of a submarine contending against the inimical influences of the ocean, represented by figures attempting to trap it in a net. On the left is a plaque listing the submarines lost in 1914-1918 and on the right is a list of submarines lost from 1939 to 1945. To the left and right of the plaques are female figures representing Truth, and a blindfolded Justice. Under the centre panel is an oblong plaque showing a submarine cruising on the surface of the sea. Ornamental border includes the badge of the Royal Navy, some dolphins and the prows of boats. 40 bronze wreath-hooks in the form of anchors are attached to the wall either side of the sculpture. A plaque has been added beneath the sculpture and a further plaque has been added underneath the anchors.
    Inscription
    ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE BRITISH NAVY/ WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN SUBMARINES 1914-1918 & 1939-1945. Below plaque: 1914-1918 1939-1945 Additional plaque: NATIONAL SUBMARINE WAR MEMORIAL (1922)/ THIS PLAQUE COMMEMORATES THE MEMORIAL'S/ SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND THE CONTRIBUTION/ BY THE MEMBERS OF THE SUBMARINERS' OLD/ COMRADES, LONDON, IN THEIR DEVOTION TO/ THE UPKEEEP OF THIS MEMORIAL. UNVEILED BY/ PETER P. RIGBY, C.B.E .J.P.1st NOVEMBER, 1992. Second additional plaque: SUBMARINE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE/ SCAN THIS QR CODE TO ACCESS THE/ SUBMARINE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE/ IT CONTAINS THE NAMES OF ALL/ SUBMARINERS WHO HAVE GIVEN/ THEIR LIVES IN THE ROYAL NAVY/ SUBMARINE SERVICE AND MANY OF/ THEIR STORIES AND THE STORIES/ OF THE SUBMARINES IN WHICH THEY/ SERVED. FOR EACH ENTRY YOU ARE/ ABLE TO ADD PERSONAL COMMENTS/ TRIBUTES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Maker(s)
    • Frederick Brook Hitch FRBS, Sculptor

    • A.H. Ryan-Tenison FRIBA, Architect

    • Parlanti Ltd, Founder / Foundry

    Maintenance History
    Original dates at top of inscription were 'August 1914- November 1918', with two panels for the names of of c fifty lost submarines. Conserved by Rupert Harris Conservation in 2002, and maintained annually by them (e-mail 7 Oct. 2011)

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    15 December 1922

    Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair KCB

    Dedicated

    15 December 1922

    Archdeacon C Ingles, Chaplain of the Fleet

    Custodian
    City of London Corporation

    Components

    Panelling

    Height: 8 ft

    Width: 13 ft

    Depth: 5 in


    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Unknown


    Historic England

    Grade: II*

    List Entry: 1079109

    • London Remembers: https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/national-submarine-war-memorial and https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/national-submarine-war-memorial-70th-anniversary
    • Historic England: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1079109?section=official-list-entry
    • LONDON'S OPEN AIR STATUARY by GLEICHEN pp.114-5 Source: Image Library Published:LONGMAN'S, GREEN & CO 1928 LONDON ' An addition to the Embankment of no great artistic merit.'
    • Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Brook_Hitch
    • BRITAIN'S MARITIME MEMORIALS & MEMENTOES by SAUNDERS, DAVID p.72 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:PATRICK STEPHENS LIMITED 1996 SPARKFORD The list of lost submarines runs from AE-1 (Sep. 1914) to XEII (March 1945)
    • Our Blog http://ukniwm.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/the-animals-war-memorial-dispensary/
    • LONDON STATUES: A GUIDE TO LONDONS OUTDOOR STATUES AND SCULPTURE by BYRON, A p.358 Source: Image Library NIWM Published:CONSTABLE 1981 LONDON
    • Illustrated London News 23 Dec. 1922 p.1028 Report and photos of dedication.
    • The Times 16 Dec. 1922 pp. 14, 13. Report of dedication, and leader article.
    • The Times 7 Dec. 1922 pp.15,16. Description and photo of memorial
    • STAND TO! pp53-56/ September 2012 Published:WESTERN FRONT ASSOCIATION 'Remembering the Great War on the Victoria Embankment, London', by Ray Westlake
    • “Rememberance – the Submarine Family.” Submarinefamily.uk, 2024, submarinefamily.uk/remembrance/. Accessed 3 February 2026.