Huntingdon War Memorial

Huntingdon War Memorial in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is a bronze figure of a soldier lost in thought, known locally as "The Thinking Soldier". It occupies Market Hill, the central square of the town in the Huntingdonshire district, and has been a Grade II listed structure since February 2014.

What makes this memorial unusual?

Most British memorials from the years after the First World War show a soldier standing alert or victorious. Here the figure looks reflective and withdrawn, a pose Historic England calls extremely unusual in its listing. The statue is cast in bronze and rests on a base of Weldon stone. It was designed by the sculptor Kathleen Scott, widow of polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

How did it come about?

After 1918 the town council weighed up a public hall as a fitting tribute to the fallen. The local Women's Institute, which had been raising funds, chose instead to put up a memorial and commissioned Kathleen Scott. The council paid for the base, and the work was carried out by Thackray and Co of Huntingdon. Lord Sandwich unveiled it on Armistice Day 1923 before a crowd of around 3,000.

How has it changed over the years?

• 1946: the Women's Institute approved an inscription for those who died in the Second World War.
• 2001: the statue was lifted off, restored and given a new plinth, because the old stone had been stained by run-off from the metal.
• 2003: a Portland stone panel was added for those who served and died in later wars and conflicts.
• 2023: local Women's Institute members marked 100 years since the unveiling.

There were once proposals to relocate the memorial from its original spot, but campaigners stopped them.

What else is nearby?

The memorial stands in the middle of Market Hill, surrounded by other protected buildings, among them the Grade I All Saints Church and the Grade II* Town Hall. A separate Grade II listed South African War memorial stands on High Street, so both can be seen on one short walk through the centre.

How to get there and when to go

Market Hill sits in the heart of Huntingdon, a short walk from the main shopping streets. The memorial is part of the public square, with no tickets and no opening hours. The days around 11 November are the most atmospheric, when Remembrance services are held here.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Huntingdon War Memorial? Kathleen Scott, the sculptor and widow of Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

When was it unveiled? On Armistice Day 1923, by Lord Sandwich, in front of about 3,000 people.

Is it a listed monument? Yes. It is Grade II listed, designated in February 2014 (National Heritage List for England entry 1417802).

Is there an admission fee? No. It stands in an open square and can be visited at any time.