Dover Town Council

The War Memorial

THE WAR MEMORIAL

The War Memorial depicts a bronze figure of Youth, feet encircled by thorns, hands up-stretched to grasp a fiery cross. The symbol of Youth is symbolic of self-sacrifice and devotion. His hand grasping the cross enveloped in flame suggests the triumph of the spirit over bodily suffering. The thorns at his feet represent the difficulties in the path of life overcome.

The memorial was the work of Reginald R Goulden who was born in Dover in 1877. Educated at Dover College, he went to the Dover School of Art where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London.

During the First World War he was in the front line in France in 1915 and 1916 and was mentioned in dispatches.

This memorial to the people of Dover who had died in the First World War was unveiled on 5th November 1924 by Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes.

After the Second World War new inscriptions were added and it was re-dedicated to the dead of both World Wars.

For information on the history behind the names shown on the War Memorial, please try the links below: