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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Midland Railway - Cenotaph

    Full-length picture of the memorial

    Source: Copyright Mike Berrell

    1/3

    Current Location

    Midland Rd (b6000), Derby, Derby, Derbyshire, DE24 8BJ, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SK 36092 35482

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-893

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    Type of Memorial
    Cenotaph
    WMR Reference Number
    893
    Description
    Cenotaph with carved soldier on tomb, enclosed by low wall with names on plaques on each side. Coat of arms in wreaths carved on each side.
    Inscription
    Cenotaph: TO/THE BRAVE MEN/ OF/ THE/ MIDLAND/ RAILWAY/ WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES/ IN/ THE GREAT WAR , MCM/ XIV XIX Wall, Plaque: (Names)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    2823
    Died
    2823
    Information shown
    Surname initial of forename, rank and unit
    Order of names
    Surname
    Additional Information
    Details of name list not known/partially known
    Maker(s)
    • Sir Edwin Lutyens, Designer

    • Messrs Parnell and Son, Builder

    Costs
    £10 958 in 1920
    Sponsor Type
    corporate
    Additional Cost/Sponsorship Information
    Cost based on contract which included allowance of 163;997 for sculpture. 2010 restoration cost 163;18 000 and was supported by the Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail.
    Maintenance History
    October 2010: Restored and recovered plaques were replaced. 6 August 2010: Four name plaques recovered, frame known to have been sold for scrap. 4 August 2010: Four bronze plaques and their frame stolen. 24 February 1977: Listed grade II* English Heritage reference 403266

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    15 December 1921

    Mr Charles Booth

    Dedicated

    15 December 1921

    Bishop of Southwell

    Rededicated

    17 December 2010

    Rev James Lindsay

    Custodian
    Network Rail

    Components

    Cenotaph

    Height: 9450 mm


    Made from: Stone - Portland


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1228742

    Plaques

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1228742

    • At the going down of the sun: British first world war memorials by Boorman, Derek 29 source: image library niwm published:sessions 1988 York
    • The National Archives RAIL 491/519 Contract for construction.
    • Evening Telegraph Hidden Derby by Unknown 135 Published:The Breedon Books Publishing Company 1999 Derby Reproduction of photograph by Rebecca Russell showing statue of soldier on top of cenotaph.
    • Imperial War Museum, Department of Collections Access and Library Acc.NO:00/875. Lutyens estimate
    • An Illustrated History of Derby by Craven, Maxwell 245 & 247 Published: Breedon Books Publishing Unknown Derby Description and photograph.
    • Railwaymen of Cumbria Remembered: A Roll of Honour in remembrance of those who gave their lives in the service of their Country during the Great War 1914-1918 by Peter Robinson pp.26-27 Published:Cumbrian Railways Association 2008 details of 20 Company employees from Cumbria
    • Derby Evening Telegraph 1 and 2/ 5 August 2010 13/ 6 August 2010 3/ 7 August 2010 3/ 11 August 2010 13/ 13 August 2010 11/ 19 August 2010 Reports on theft of bronze plaques, their recovery, the sale of the frame for scrap and the convictions of two men responsible.
    • Derby Evening Telegraph 4/ 18 December 2010 Report on restoration and rededication
    • Rail News Feb. 2011
    • Railstaff No. 157 (Dec. 2010)
    • War Memorials Trust Bulletin No.48 p.11 (feb. 2011) Published:War Memorials Trust London
    • Derby Evening Telegraph 4/ 3 January 2011 Photograph of damage to plaques in connection with article on thefts of metal.
    • Lutyens and the Great War by Tim Skelton & Gerald Gliddon pp.96,157,168 Published:Francis Lincoln Ltd 2008, Nov London
    • www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/122731/
    • www.midlandrailwaystudycentre.org.uk/remembrance.htm