Following World War One the Imperial War Graves Commission, now the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), needed to find an appropriate
way to commemorate those men of the Royal Navy who had died at sea.
Following the recommendation of an admiral committee, identical memorials
were erected at the three manning ports of Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth
and located so that they might act as markers for ships entering port.
In each memorial, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer (1864- 1929), a stone
column rises over 30 metres with the base supported in each corner
by the sculptured figure of a lion. Carved upon each column face,
about a third of the way up is a badge of the Royal Navy, a crown,
a laurel wreath and an anchor. The column is topped by a large copper
sphere representing the globe with in turn is supported by figures
representing the four winds, immediately below this, carved into the
stone, are the prows of four ships.
Bronze panels recording he names of those who died at sea, during
1914 – 1918, are inset into the base and buttresses. A dedicatory
panel, which can be found on the seaward side, reads;
“IN MEMORY OF THE NAVY AND TO THE ABIDING MEMORY OF THOSE RANKS
AND RATINGS OF THIS PORT WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN DEFENCE OF THE
EMPIRE AND HAVE NO OTHER GRAVE BUT THE SEA”.
Following World War Two each memorial was given an extension which
commemorates those who died during 1939 -1945. It was not possible
for the extensions to be identical as each site was different.
The locations of these memorials are shown below;
CHATHAM
Overlooks the town of Chatham and is approached by a steep path from
the Town Hall Gardens. Sadly, due to constant vandalism, the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission has had to arrange for it to be regularly patrolled
and public access is limited to the period from 08.30 to 17.00.
PLYMOUTH
Situated in the Park on the North side of the Hoe. It is accessible
at all times.
PORTSMOUTH
Situated on Southsea Common, near Clarence pier, overlooking the promenade,
It is accessible at all times. |
