Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial
Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial

© the copyright holders. Image credit: Roy Barrie / Art UK

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On a shallow plinth a First World War soldier sitting down, cradling his rifle, his face buried in his hands. His helmet, bayonet and pipe are on the ground nearby, and it is mounted on a square three-stage pedestal featuring inset inscribed plaques, one bearing a relief image of Wilfred Owen and the text of his poem 'Futility', all backed by a separate inscribed arch enclosing a poppy field and poplar trees stencilled into the metal and flanked by scenes of soldiers.
Title

Birkenhead Institute Old Boys War Memorial

Medium

bronze, stone & brick

Accession number

CH41_RB_S040

Acquisition method

commissioned by Birkenhead Institute Old Boys

Work type

War memorial

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

14th January 2019

Access

at all times

Inscription description

on a plaque on the left side of the pedestal in raised lettering: This is a replacement Memorial for the Ingleborough Road Playing Fields of Birkenhead Institute / which, for generations of pupils between 1926 and 1995, provided a fitting remembrance to / 88 Old Boys of the School / who gave their lives in the service of their Country in the Great War and also those in later conflicts, / in particular the gifted and celebrated War Poet, Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC. / A memorial remains at the original site. / The statue is inspired by a drawing of the School's Art Master, David (D S W) Jones, / to honour Wilfred Owen's memory and is placed upon a plinth built in part from materials / reclaimed from the pavilion (provided by donations from family and friends of the Fallen) / which stood on the site, including its foundation stone laid in 1926. / The Arch which stands behind, is a replica of a memorial arch which stood over the gates to the fields. / The screen portrays a visual reference to the 88 poplar trees planted by pupils / around the perimeter of the site in 1932, one for each of the dead men. / The balustrade incorporates elements of the work of David Hillhouse, a former Birkenhead Institute Old Boy / who designed the Wilfred Owen Memorial Window in Birkenhead Central Library; on a plaque on the right side of the pedestal in raised gold lettering: BIRKENHEAD INSTITUTE / REPLACEMENT WAR MEMORIAL / REDEDICATED TO THE 88 FALLEN / by / Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex / JANUARY 14th 2019 / Sculptor J Whelan Artist D S W Jones Castle Fine Arts Foundry; and inscribed on a stone at the back of the pedestal: BIRKENHEAD INSTITUTE / WAR MEMORIAL / THIS STONE WAS LAID BY / ALDERMAN GODFREY ALLAN SOLLY J.P. / APRIL 17th 1926; stencilled around the arch: 1914 BIRKENHEAD INSTITUTE 1919; and around an image of a helmet suspended from the arch: DOCTUS IN SE SEMPER DIVITIAS HABET.

Located at

Hamilton Street, Birkenhead

CH41 5EX

Located on the corner of Hamilton Street and Duncan Street, opposite the south-east corner of Hamilton Square.