1. War Memorials Trust
War memorial designs

2. Learning objectives
Know key features of some war memorial designs and why these may have been chosen by communities
To design an appropriate memorial for a specific purpose
Friday Bridge, Cambridgeshire (WM186) © A L Stubbs, 2010.

3. Learning outcomes
Design a memorial, considering purpose and choosing appropriate designs
Use a variety of methods to communicate ideas and feelings
Friday Bridge, Cambridgeshire (WM186) © A L Stubbs, 2010.

4. War memorial designs Soldier with arms reversed
Images of a figure resting on reversed arms are often used as a symbol of mourning or respect.
Why do you think this is used?
Fenton, Staffordshire (WM113) © War Memorials Trust, 2001

5. War memorial designs Wreaths
Images are often shown on war memorials and wreaths are laid at Remembrance services.
A wreath is a traditional symbol of commemoration.
What do you think it symbolises?
Fenton, Staffordshire (WM113) © War Memorials Trust, 2001

6. War memorial designs Eternal light
This war memorial has a lantern (at the top of the memorial) and the words, “let light perpetual shine upon them” are inscribed above a list of the names of the dead.
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire (WM6174) © IWM’s Farthing Collection

7. Crosses Crosses are a well known type of war memorial.
Some crosses are simple while others are more elaborate
Crosses are sometimes carved onto other designs
Top: Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire (WM19) © War Memorials Trust, Above left: Kirkby, Merseyside (WM906) © War Memorials Trust, Above right: Rolvenden, Kent (WM258) © War Memorials Trust, 2007.

8. Monuments Cenotaph From a Greek word for ‘empty tomb.’ Pillar
Some are made to look broken off.
Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire © War Memorials Trust, 2012
The Cenotaph, London (WM2446) © War Memorials Trust, 2003
Why do you think these symbols have been used?

9. Sculpture Animals in War Memorial
Commemorates animals that have died in wars.
Represents the experience of animals in war.
Some figures face forward, representing future hope.
Other sculptures show other groups affected by war.
Animals in War Memorial, London (WM376) © War Memorials Trust, 2008

10. Functional memorials
Some communities chose functional designs for memorials, like a hospital or bells.
Others were halls, bus shelters, schools or benches.
Why were these chosen?
Victoria Memorial Hospital, Kent (WM4590) © John Stone, 2011
The Memorial Bells, London (WM4459) © Philippa King, 2011

11. Your design Think about:
The purpose for your memorial – who or what will it commemorate?
The design – what best represents the person or event being remembered? Think about the images used.
The feelings of people who might use the memorial to remember.
Will you include an inscription? What will this say?