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The Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London - one of Britain's greatest sculptures and war memorials - has been carefully cleaned in time for the opening of a new exhibition at the Wellington Arch. 

Thousands of war memorials were erected after the First World War representing the greatest wave of grief and remembrance ever seen. Rarely seen designs, statuettes and photographs of London’s most famous Great War memorials, including the Cenotaph, will feature in a new English Heritage exhibition at the Wellington Arch in London, exploring our collective and personal remembrance. The exhibition will be launched by Helen Grant MP, Minister for the First World War Centenary and will run from 16 July 2014 until 30 November 2014.

Helen Grant MP said: “Memorials link the tragic impact of world wars with local communities across the land. During the First World War all parts of the country sent men off to fight and women off to work. Virtually all suffered losses. It’s time to consider how we can keep these memorials prominent in the public eye.”

Roger Bowdler, English Heritage Designation Director, said: “No area of our heritage is more poignant than that of war memorials. The absence of the Commonwealth's 1.1 million dead created a powerful need for monuments, and led to the greatest surge of public remembrance in our history. We hope this exhibition deepens present-day understanding of that grief and inspires people to take care of their local memorial as a result.”

The exhibition begins with the story of the six First World War memorials in London which are cared for by English Heritage. These include some of the finest ever created: the Cenotaph on Whitehall, the memorial to Edith Cavell, and the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner – a few steps from the exhibition itself at the Wellington Arch.

A bronze version by Charles Sargeant Jagger for ‘The Driver’, a standing figure on Jagger’s Royal Artillery Memorial, shows the quality of sculpture produced at this time. Together with drawings and artists’ sketchbooks the objects on display illustrate the care artists took to do justice to the subject matter of death and sacrifice. Artists also faced the challenge of reconciling the traditional, classical approach previously used for memorials with the harsh reality of modern warfare.

Photographs of memorial unveilings and remembrance ceremonies poignantly show the sheer scale of national grief and a further gallery of images shows the variety and range of war memorials elsewhere in the country, and the steps now being taken to conserve them.

Families lived in fear of an official telegram bearing news that someone close to them had been killed or was missing in action. Author and broadcaster Jeremy Paxman has kindly lent to the exhibition official documents, including the note of condolence and medals certificates received on the death of his great-uncle, Private Charles Dickson, who died of wounds at Gallipoli in 1915. There are also French, Australian, New Zealand and German examples of such notifications, each nationality having its own style of conveying news of a fallen solider.

'We Will Remember Them”' is one of several major English Heritage First World War Centenary Commemoration projects.  Others are:

Listing

It isn’t known exactly how many war memorials there are but the total runs to many thousands and so far fewer than 10% of free-standing war memorials are listed. English Heritage has pledged to double the number on the National Heritage List for England over the next five years. We are working with War Memorials Trust to enlist volunteer help in achieving this.  The public can help by submitting nominations.

Repair Grants

In partnership with the Wolfson Foundation, English Heritage has made money available for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England. Examples of memorials that have benefited from grants – ranging from £3,000- 30,000 are included in the exhibition. Check the condition of your local memorial andapply for a grant if it needs repair.

Home Front Legacy

In partnership with the Council for British Archaeology, English Heritage has initiated a national hunt to record the colossal 'footprint' left by the First World War on the fabric, landscape and coastal waters of England. Join in and track down our Home Front heritage before many of these places are lost to history.

Exhibition Details

‘We Will Remember Them: London's Great War Memorials’ is at The Wellington Arch, London W1J 7JZ from 16 July until 30 November 2014, Monday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 10am-6pm. For further visitor information, see www.english-heritage.org.uk/quadriga or call 020 7930 2726.

The nearest underground station is Hyde Park Corner.

Prices:
Adult: £4.20 
Concession: £3.80 
Child: £2.50 
Admission is free for English Heritage members. 
Joint ticket with Apsley House: Adult: £8.60 Child: £5.30 Family: £22.40

Directions and further visitor information:
Wellington Arch (Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7JZ) stands between Hyde Park and Green Park. The nearest underground station is Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line).