Erection date: 21/4/1923
{Upper plaque:}
To the memory of the men of Golders Green who made the supreme sacrifice 1914 - 1918.
{Followed by 178 names. See Subjects commemorated}.
{Lower plaque in the form of an opened book:}
1939 - 45 in grateful and honoured memory to the women & men of Golders Green Hampstead Garden Suburb and Childs Hill Wards who gave their lives in defence of their country.
{Followed by 162 names. See Subjects commemorated}.
{Beneath the plaques:}
Their name liveth for evermore.
{At the top of each side of the monument:}
Courage
Honour
Justice
Loyalty
{On the east, south and west faces of the monument:}
1914 - 1918
1939 - 1945
Five of the names were added at a later date to the 1914 - 18 plaque, and one to the 1939 - 45 one.
Note that this memorial has no religious iconography. Golders Green has had a strong Jewish demographic since the early 20th century so when the community raised the funds for this monument, helped by variety shows at the nearby Hippodrome, the design was secular.
The additions for WW2 were the open book and its supporting podium.
Site: Golders Green war memorial (1 memorial)
NW11, North End Road, Junction with Finchley Road
The project to erect this memorial was led by the architect Arthur James Reynolds who was chairman of the Golders Green War memorial committee and member of Hendon Urban District Council.
Organised by Mr H.G. Potter Chairman of the Golders Green, Child’s Hill and Garden Suburb War Memorial committee, in April 1948 it was decided that another 1940-1945 Second World War memorial should be added to the 1914-19 War Memorial. This was paid for by public subscription and Herbert Welch was the honorary architect for its design.
Source: HGS Heritage.
In 2017 there were plans to improve the road layout of this junction which would mean moving the monument. Given the growing recognition that "improving" roads only ever increases traffic one hopes that these plans have been quietly dropped.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
