"The Montgomery County War Memorial stands on the summit of Montgomery Town Hill. It is dedicated to those members of the forces from the county who gave their lives in the two world wars.
Constructed from Portland stone, it has a square carved plinth and base that is surmounted by a circular stone column topped by a stone capping with ornate cornice. It stands some 50 feet high and at a height of 1050 feet. Listed by CADW as being of architectural importance, it is a truly beautiful structure with inscriptions in both English and Welsh engraved on the base.
The monument was initially built and completed in 1923. A committee chaired by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn raised some £2500 by public subscription. The heavy stone materials were transported by train to Montgomery Station and were carried to the site by motor vehicles and a team of horses.
The Lieutenant Sir Watkin Williams Wynn unveiled the monument in April 1923. Fifty-five ex-servicemen, led by a band marched up to the Monument as did a detachment of Territorial Army 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Many hundreds of people attended the dedication ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Wales. Special trains were run from all over the county for this memorable occasion.
This is a Monument that is worthy to represent the enormous sacrifices made. It is a structure that has and will continue to impress future generations. There is a path with a right-of-way to the site and the entrance made through the 'kissing gate' opposite the Castle Car Park entrance.
Unfortunately some years ago the area suffered an earth tremor that twisted the column, opening it up in parts and allowing the weather to get in. A local committee was formed in 1998 and with help from the Heritage Lottery, sufficient funds were raised to enable the repair work to be carried out.
The work is now completed and the results far exceed expectations. A re-dedication and unveiling ceremony took place on Saturday 5th October 2002. The event was very well attended and enjoyed by all.
The view from the memorial is stunning. Hundreds go up every year. You can see a number of counties from the top."
Article by Terry Boundy M.B.E., M.R.C.V.S.
Take a photo tour of the Memorial...
Terry Boundy served with the 14th army in Burma during the second World War. In 1947 he moved to Montgomery to continue his pre-war career as a veterinary surgeon. He came on board the BBC Wales bus when it was in Montgomery to tell us about the town's County War Memorial.
