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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Birmingham Gas Department - Allegory

    Entire memorial

    Source: Copyright Russell Thomas

    1/1

    Current Location

    Birmingham Museum Trust Collection Centre, Dollman Street, Duddeston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B7 4RQ, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SP 08858 87527

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-17374

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    Type of Memorial
    Allegory (eg: Victory)
    WMR Reference Number
    17374
    Description
    A hopton stone pedestal surmounted by a bronze figure of Britannia, with the inscription on the front of the pedestal. Newspapers and scrolls are sealed inside. Britannia holds a winged Victory atop a sphere in her right hand and in her left she holds the palms of victory and the rosary of remembrance.
    Inscription
    TO THE/ GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF/ THE MEN OF THE/ BIRMINGHAM/ GAS DEPARTMENT/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919 AND 1939-1945/ (Names)/ LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE TO IT THAT THEIR NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Maker(s)
    • H H Martyn and Co., Founder / Foundry

    • WALTER HENRY GILBERT, Designer

    • LOUIS WEINGARTNER, Artist

    Maintenance History
    1999: Memorial due to be refurbished and suitable replacement for figure considered. 1994: Bronze figure of Britannia was stolen shortly after it was moved to the current location. Unknown: When the memorial was moved from the council house the scrolls and newspapers were removed and conserved and re-gilded before being re-sealed within the work.

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    19th November 1921

    UNKNOWN

    Previous Location(s)

    In the grounds of the club., Hollyfields Sports Centre, Woodacre Road, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 0JT, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SP 12302 91566

  • Council House, Edmund Street, Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 2ES, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SP 06678 87000

    Year of move

    Unknown

    Reason for move

    The allegory originally stood in the gas office but it was moved when the museum and art gallery wanted to turn the room into an exhibition space. It went into store before being moved to its current location.

  • Custodian
    British Gas

    Components

    Pedestal

    Height: 2200MM


    Made from: Stone - Hopton Wood


    Condition: Good


    Sculpture

    Height: 1400MM


    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    • Public Sculpture of Britain Birmingham including Sutton Coldfield (1998) pp.156-7
    • Birmingham Gas Department Magazine, vol. IX, no.5, May 1920, p.72
    • City of Birmingham Gas Department, 'Unveiling of War Memorial', leaflet, 19 November 1921
    • Birmingham Gas Department Magazine, vol. VIII, no.7, July 1919, p.103
    • Birmingham Gas Department Magazine, vol. X, no.12, December 1921, p.180
    • w. Gilbert & L. Weingartner, 'Sculpture in the garden' publicity booklet, Birmingham (c.1925)
    • Birmingham Evening Mail, 'Vow on Looted Tribute to War Dead' 28 October 1999
    • Evening Mail, 'Vow on Looted Tribute to War Dead' 28 October 1999