Newton Abbot War Memorial (Newton Abbot)

 Grade II Listed (UK), war memorial

Newton Abbot War Memorial, including the surrounding stepped stone base, and railings is listed at The Newton Abbot war memorial was proposed in 1920, supported financially by local subsidies. Originally intended to be located in Courtney Park, it was ultimately erected nearby at the intersection of Queen Street, St. Paul's Road and The Avenue. The memorial was designed by Borough Surveyor Coleridge Dingle White. He commissioned sculptor Courtenay Edward Maxwell Pollock RBS (1896-1933) to create a bronze figure of Victory which would stand on top of a column. Also described by its sculptor as Freedom, the figure was modelled on a French woman who was likely the inspiration for the bronze Victory with on top of the Ilfracombe memorial (listed at Grade II), also attributed to the sculptor. Due to Pollock falling ill and labour issues at the Parlanti Foundry Works in London, the casting of the bronze elements delayed the monument's completion. The unveiling and dedication of the war memorial took place on Sunday 23 July 1922 at 3pm.

Following the Second World War a commemorative wall was added to the rear of the memorial . As well as the names of deceased servicemen, it also included the names of civilians killed in the town during bombing campaigns. Newton Abbot was viewed by Germany as a strategically important point on the communications route for Plymouth and it was subject to at least 65 air raids.

The casualties of subsequent conflicts were recognised on stone plaques beside the main memorial.

Details
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