On May 7th 1921 General Lord Horne, GCB, KCMG, General Officer commanding of the Eastern Command formally unveiled the Saffron Walden Town War Memorial.

A parade of 150 ex-servicemen and 14 Officers marched from the Market Square via King Street to the memorial, where the Council was assembled. Also present were Lord Braybrooke, and Sir Cecil Beck, the towns M.P. When General and Lady Horne arrived, there was a hymn, and then the General unveiled the memorial. Following this the last post was sounded and after a short vote of thanks by the Mayor, the ceremony was concluded. Hundreds of people were present and the bottom of the memorial was virtually obscured by wreaths and flowers. The carvings on the four sides of the memorial show a wreath of wild rose surrounding the shield of Saint George; a wreath of English oaks surrounding the shield of the County of Essex; a wreath of Saffron Crocus and a shield with an embattled castle enclosing three saffron flowers; and a wreath of bay leaves enclosing the old town seal, a lion rampant and a fleur de lys.

The Chairman of the organising committee also presented the Mayor with an illuminated Roll of Honour in a gold frame, and this the Mayor agreed to place in the Council Chamber, where it can still be seen today. The memorial was well tended and for many years new flowers would be frequently seen on its steps.

(Malcom White Town Clerk, Saffron Walden)

Maintenance and Cleaning

The War Memorial was cleaned in 2004 at a cost of £8,000. Maintenance is ongoing and is carried out by Saffron Walden Town Council.

Use this link for details on how to contact the Town Council.

Saffron Walden War Memorials

War Memorials
Anglo American Memorial Apse

Useful Links

Essex Roll of Honour
English Heritage
Imperial War Museum
The War Memorials Trust