Mildenhall War Memorial, Suffolk

Mildenhall War Memorial stands in the Suffolk town of Mildenhall, in the West Suffolk district, on a small island where King Street meets Kingsway. It is a figure of a soldier carved in Portland stone, and it honours local people who died in the two World Wars. Since June 2022 it has been a Grade II listed structure on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1481073).

What will you see at the memorial?

A uniformed infantryman with a rifle stands at ease on top of a square pillar. The pillar rises from a three-step square base, and polished granite panels are fixed to its sides. Around the monument runs a ring of short stone posts joined by metal chains, which marks it off from the traffic around it.

One detail draws the eye of visitors who look closely. Records kept by memorial enthusiasts note that the rifle appears to have been put back together the wrong way round, with the foresight underneath and the bayonet catch on top. This is attributed to a clumsy repair after vandalism. Another note says the dark name panels may be later replacements.

Whose names are recorded here?

The memorial lists 86 people who fell in the First World War, on its east and west faces, in alphabetical order with initials only. The south face carries 36 names from the Second World War. Three of them are women: Martha Brightwell, Gertie Hutchinson and Evelyn Palmer. The same names appear on a separate tablet inside St Mary's Church, and the church also holds a First World War roll, so both places are worth a visit if you are tracing local history or a family connection.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The monument is in the town centre, at the junction of King Street and Kingsway (postcode IP28 7ET). It is open-air and always accessible, since it stands beside the public road. The pavement around the island is narrow and traffic passes close by, so cross at the nearest safe point and take photographs from the footway.

St Mary's Church is a short walk away in the same town. The Market Place, with its own separately listed market cross, is also nearby, but that cross is not a war memorial. Do not confuse this site with the RAF station of the same name outside town, or with Mildenhall in Wiltshire.

When is the best time to visit?

The memorial can be seen at any time of year and takes only a few minutes. Remembrance Sunday in November is the day when the town gathers here and wreaths are laid, which makes it the most meaningful moment to come, though the area is then busier. Outside that date the site is quiet, and daylight is best for reading the inscriptions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mildenhall War Memorial listed?

Yes. It was designated Grade II in 2022 and appears on the National Heritage List for England under entry 1481073. Older register records that call it unlisted pre-date this decision.

How many names are on the memorial?

There are 86 names from the First World War and 36 from the Second World War, including three women.

Is there an entrance fee or opening time?

No. It stands in the open beside a public road and can be visited at any hour.

Where else in Mildenhall can I find the same names?

St Mary's Church holds a Second World War tablet and a First World War roll that repeat the names of the fallen.