Hemel Hempstead War Memorial

Hemel Hempstead War Memorial is a Grade II listed memorial in Boxmoor, on the edge of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire (Dacorum district). It dates from 1921 and was added to the National Heritage List for England in 2016.

What will you see?

The memorial is carved from limestone. An octagonal column rises from a square pedestal and a two-step base, and it is topped by a St Chad's cross. Four words run around the base of the column: Sacrifice (1914-1919), Honour, Valour and Victory.

Limestone tablets on the pedestal name 356 local residents who died in the First World War. The plinth below is marked 1939-1945 and carries four tablets with 151 names from the Second World War. Smaller later plaques cover Malaya (1951-1953), Aden (1965), the South Atlantic (1982) and Afghanistan (from 2001).

What is its history?

Lieutenant-Colonel Lovel Francis Smeethman, son of the town solicitor, unveiled the monument on 26 June 1921. He had lost two brothers in the war, and both appear among the names. The memorial first stood near a road junction in central Hemel Hempstead. It was moved to its present site some time before 2003.

How do you find it?

You will find it on a grassy corner where St John's Road meets Station Road, beside the churchyard of the Church of St John the Evangelist, itself Grade II listed. The spot is in Boxmoor, a short walk from Hemel Hempstead railway station. It is open ground, so access is free at any hour.

When should you visit?

The most meaningful time is Remembrance Sunday in November, when the town holds a service here. For reading the inscriptions in peace, pick a weekday in daylight; spring to autumn gives the best light. Allow 15 to 20 minutes, or combine it with a stroll around Boxmoor and a look at the neighbouring church.

Frequently asked questions

Is the memorial listed? Yes. Historic England listed it at Grade II in October 2016, citing its historic interest, commemorative role, design and group value with the nearby church.

How many names does it carry? 356 from the First World War and 151 from the Second World War, plus a handful from later conflicts.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The memorial stands on public green space and can be visited at any time.

Is this the mosaic poppy memorial on Marlowes? No. That separate memorial in the town centre was installed in 2012 and honours service personnel who died after 1945. The 1921 listed monument is in Boxmoor.