Oakham War Memorial A Legacy of Sacrifice
Standing prominently in the churchyard of All Saints’ Church, the Oakham War Memorial is a poignant landmark that serves as the town's focal point for Remembrance.
Commissioned by the Oakham War Memorial Committee after the First World War, the project was funded entirely by public subscription, raising £1,000 (a significant sum at the time).
The memorial was designed by Sir Ninian Comper, one of the last great Gothic Revival architects.
It is crafted from Clipsham stone, which was generously donated by J. Davenport-Handley of Clipsham Hall.
The closed lantern at the summit features detailed carvings of the Crucifixion, the Virgin and Child, St. Martin dividing his cloak, and St. George and the Dragon.
The memorial was officially unveiled on April 6, 1922, by Major General Sir A.E. Codrington.
Originally, the memorial was intended to record the names of 102 local men who died in the Great War. Over time, as more records came to light, the number of First World War names grew to 112.
Following the Second World War, an additional 17 names were inscribed to honor those who fell between 1939 and 1945.
Such was the generosity of the townspeople that money left over from the memorial fund was used to renovate a building on the High Street.
On April 10, 2022, a special service was held to re-dedicate the memorial, marking exactly 100 years since its original erection.
