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The memorial takes the form of a massive stone obelisk, with four ships’ prows projecting from the apex, inspired by the rostral columns erected to celebrate Roman naval victories. The obelisk rises from a stepped square base with corner projections, each projection supporting a lion couchant. Low down on each side of the obelisk is the naval badge of an anchor within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a naval crown. Above the branching ships’ prows, are bronze figures representing the four winds, who bear large copper spheres representing the earth. The plaques on the north, east, and west faces commemorate actions with enemy land forces, single ship actions, and general actions at sea (including Jutland); they contain images of naval action in low relief.
Title
Chatham Naval Memorial
Date
1924–1952
Medium
Portland stone, copper & bronze
Accession number
ME7_RL_S066
Acquisition method
purchased by public subscription
Work type
War memorial
Owner
Medway Council
Custodian
Medway Council
Work status
extant
Listing status
Grade I (England and Wales)
Listing date
05/12/96
Access
at all times
Inscription description
between the lions are bronze plaques, that to the south bears the inscription: IN HONOUR OF THE NAVY / AND TO THE ABIDING MEMORY / OF THESE RANKS AND / RATINGS OF THIS PORT WHO LAID DOWN THEIR / LIVES IN THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE AND / HAVE NO OTHER GRAVE THAN THE SEA / AND THEIR COMRADES OF AUSTRALIA / SOUTH AFRICA NEWFOUNDLAND INDIA PAKISTAN / CEYLON FIJI GOLD COAST HONG KONG KENYA / MALAYA NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE AND BURMA / WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED; plaques around base: (names of the dead arranged by the year of death, and within each year, by rank and role); on band above gates at entrance to enclosure. east side: ALL THESE WERE HONOURED IN THEIR GENERATIONS / AND WERE THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES; plaques on outer faces of the walls of the enclosure: (names of those lost during the Second World War)