A memorial commemorating men and women who lost their lives in World War One is to be refurbished this year to coincide with the centenary of the start of the conflict.

The War Memorial in Ashley Road, Epsom, is to be cleaned before the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One in August.

The memorial bears the names of 264 men and one woman from Epsom who lost their lives serving their country during the conflict.

Epsom Council secured a grant from English Heritage specifically for this work and specialist stonemasons will start work next month and are due to complete their work in June.

A spokesman for the council said the memorial was originally paid for by public subscription and was unveiled in December 1923 after protracted and ill-tempered deliberations on where it should be situated.

The granite cross is 18ft high and rests on a three-tier base.

The top tier is inscribed "To the Glory of God", the second tier "And to the lasting honour of the men of Epsom and Ewell who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918", and the bottom tier "Their reward also is with the Lord and the care of them is with the most high."

The names of the fallen were added later on the walls surrounding the cross and were unveiled on Remembrance Sunday, November 11, 1923.  It is believed that some names were not included on the memorial on the wishes of families.

The memorial was subsequently updated to include the dates of World War Two but no names from this conflict were added.

Councillor Jean Steer, chairman of the council’s social committee, said: "I have immense respect for those who gave their lives for their country and the Ashley Road War Memorial stands as a moving reminder of the great loss of life during the First World War.

"I am really proud that this project will see the memorial in a fit state for the community’s Great War anniversary commemorations and will also ensure the continued legacy of remembrance for future generations."

 

TODAY'S HEADLINES IN EPSOM AND EWELL