The memorial stands in the middle of the main path leading from Hengate and forms a major architectural point of interest in the memorial gardens.
It was erected in 1920 as a WWI memorial and was later amended after WWII.
It has A three-stepped octagonal base surmounted by square plinth, and tapering obelisk. Seated figurative sculptures rest on the top of the plinth at each corner and there are inscriptions on the sides.
The top seated figures symbolise the army, navy, air force and medical services. On their laps they each hold a symbol of their service. These are, respectively, a tank, a boat, an aeroplane and the staff of esculapius.
At the top of the obelisk is a relief carving of a cross.
Richard Henry Whiteing FSA LRIBA was the architect who designed the memorial, Messrs J Peers and Sons were the masons who worked on the main structure, Mr. Vincent Hull, ARCA carved the seated figures and
Mr G. Whitehead carved the inscription tablets on the sides.
The unveiling ceremony on 18th September 1920 was attended by local clergy and dignitaries.
The inscription on the front face of the memorial.
TO THE MEMORY OF
THE BEVERLEY MEN
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY
IN THE GREAT WARS
1914 - 1918
1939 - 1945
Their Name Liveth For Evermore
The author Rudyard Kipling recommended the inscription ‘Their name liveth for evermore’ a biblical text from the Book of Ecclesiasticus as a suitable inscription for use on WWI memorials.
The inscription on the right hand face.
THEY WENT WITH SONGS TO THE
BATTLE THEY WERE YOUNG
STRAIGHT OF LIMB TRUE LIFE
STEADY AND AGLOW;
THEY WERE STRIVING TO THE END
AGAINST ODDS UNCOUNTED
THEY FELL WITH THEIR FACES
TO THE FOE.
This is stanza three from the poem 'For The Fallen' by war poet Laurence Binyon.
The inscription on the left hand face
THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS
WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM,
NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
This is stanza four from the poem 'For The Fallen' by war poet Laurence Binyon.
This stanza has since the war been adopted by the Royal British Legion as an Exhortation for ceremonies of Remembrance to commemorate fallen Servicemen and women.