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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    43rd Wessex Division

    43rd Wessex Division

    Source: Orphan Work 26558

    1/1

    Current Location

    At Winyards Gap National Trust property. The stone memorial in White Hill Plantation has views over Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire, the four counties that made up the Wessex Division., A356 Winyard's Gap / Wynyard's Gap inn, Chedington, Beaminster, West Dorset, Dorset, DT8 3SX, England

    OS Grid Reference

    ST 49159 06096

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-26558

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    Type of Memorial
    Pillar / Column
    WMR Reference Number
    26558
    Description
    Base surmounted by two staged column. Bronze plaque on the front face of the two stages. Inscription plaque on the lower stage and regimental badge on the upper stage. Whole stands on a paved area with concrete post and chain link fence. The memorial is a replica of that which stands on Hill 112, near Caen, Normandy, where in July 1944, the division fought a famous battle. A similar replica was unveiled at Castle Hill, Mere, Wiltshire in May 1949. It was hoped to erect several such replicas at beauty spots in the West Country, the area from which the bulk of the Division was drawn.
    Inscription
    TO THE MEMORY OF ALL RANKS O/F THE 43RD WESSEX DIVISION/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR/ THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM/ 1939 - 1945./ THIS MEMORIAL/ IS A REPLICA/ OF THAT ERECTED/ ON HILL 112 NEAR CAEN/ THE SITE OF THE FIRST/ MAJOR BATTLE/ IN WHICH THE DIVISION/ TOOK PART/ JULY 10TH TO JULY 24TH 1944.
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    War
    Regimental Memorials
    Maker(s)
    • Messrs Harding and Elgar of New Street, Slisbury, Architect

    • Messrs Singer and Co of Dorset Road, South Lambeth, London cast the plaques, Founder / Foundry

    Sponsor Type
    other
    Sponsored By
    Trustees of 43rd Division Memorial Fund

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    20 September 1952

    General Sir Ivor Thomas, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., late Quarter-Master-General to the Forces who commanded the Division through the North-West Europe campaign.

    Custodian
    National Trust voluntarily cares for the site

    Components

    Column

    Height: c 3300mm


    Made from: Stone


    Condition: Good


    Plaques

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    • Central Somerset Gazette - Friday 15 August 1952 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002470/19520815/031/0002 Memorial to 2,000 officers and men One of several to be erected at West beauty spots