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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. The apex of the obelisk is stepped inwards; above the branching ships' prows, are bronze figures representing the four winds, who bear a large copper sphere representing the earth. The plaques to the north, east, and west faces commemorate actions with enemy land forces, single ship actions, and general actions at sea (including Jutland); the plaques contain images of naval action in low relief. Around the base are plaques carrying the names of the dead; the names are arranged by the year of death, and within each year, by service and rank.
Title
The Plymouth Naval Memorial
Date
1924
Medium
Portland stone ashlar, copper & bronze
Accession number
PL1_CW_S006
Acquisition method
commissioned by the Imperial War Graves Commission
Work type
War memorial
Owner
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Custodian
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Work status
extant
Listing status
Grade I (England and Wales)
Unveiling date
July 1924
Listing date
01/05/75
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 On the Second Worlds War extension, between the the two statues of soldiers is a stone plaque with a naval crown and the inscription: 1914-1918 1939-1945 / ALL THESE WERE HONOURED IN THEIR GENERATIONS / AND WERE THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES