| Rainham War Memorial | |
|---|---|
 Rainham War Memorial, aclock tower which commemorates soldiers killed inWorld War I. | |
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| Details | |
| Established | 1920 |
| Location | Broadway and Upminster Road,Rainham,Greater London |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°31′07″N0°11′25″E / 51.518527°N 0.190175°E /51.518527; 0.190175 |
| Type | military |
TheRainham War Memorial commemorates soldiers killed in both World Wars as well as civilian casualties of World War II.
The monument is aclock tower in the centre of the town ofRainham,Greater London,England.[1] It is constructed of red Belgian brick, withPortland stone dressings. Portland stone is alimestone quarried on theIsle of Portland,Dorset, England. There is cast stone ornamentation as well. The memorial is a hexagonal short tower with clock faces on three of its sides. On a sloping base, the names of the war dead are inscribed. In addition, stone blocks inscribed with "Lest We Forget" are positioned at angles to the tower. There are also inscription panels on the sides of the monument. Narrowpilasters decorate the angles of the clock tower. Arches are present over a niche and doorway. The top of the clock tower features aparapet withbalustrade.[1] Iron railings surround the memorial, which is prominently sited between Broadway and Upminster Road in front ofSaint Helen and Saint Giles, the parish church of Rainham.[2]
The Rainham War Memorial was built in 1920 by a Mr. Vinton.[1] It was unveiled by Colonel SirFrancis Henry Douglas Charlton Whitmore (1872–1962) on 7 November 1920. He served asLord Lieutenant of Essex from 1936 to 1958.[3] The Rainham War Memorial was added to theNational Heritage List for England on 25 March 2002 as a Grade IIlisted structure.[4] A Grade II structure is felt to be nationally important and of special interest.[5]
In the photograph to the right,red poppy wreaths around the Rainham War Memorial further commemorate the area's dead soldiers. TheRemembrance Day service continues to be held annually by the memorial. Also referred to asArmistice Day orPoppy Day, it is observed on 11 November. The residents of Rainham pay their respects by placing crosses and fresh poppy wreaths adjacent to the monument.[6][7]
One of the soldiers represented on the monument isSecond LieutenantRalph Luxmore Curtis, a World War Iflying ace credited with fifteen aerial victories. A native of Rainham, the nineteen-year-old engaged in aerial combat withHermann Göring, commander ofJasta 27 and future head of theLuftwaffe.[8]
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