Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial

The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial stands in Cowley, on the eastern side of Oxford. It honours the men of the county regiment who died in the First World War, and it is the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect behind many of Britain's best-known war memorials.

What is this memorial?

The monument was unveiled on Armistice Day, 11 November 1923. It was raised for soldiers of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry killed in the Great War, and names from the Second World War were added later, so it now commemorates the fallen of both conflicts. War memorial registers record more than 5,800 First World War names on it.

Since 1972 it has been a Grade II listed structure, entry number 1369419 in the National Heritage List for England.

What does it look like?

It is a tall, plain obelisk of Portland stone. Lutyens kept decoration to a minimum: the only ornament is the regimental badge, carved in relief. That restraint is typical of his memorials and leaves the focus on the names and the act of remembrance.

Why is it on Rose Hill?

The regiment first hoped to place the memorial near its barracks in Cowley, but no suitable plot could be found. Christ Church, the Oxford college, donated land on Rose Hill instead. The obelisk stands on the east side of the road, close to the junction with Church Cowley Road, and the site was chosen so the monument reads against the sky.

How do you get there?

The memorial lies outside the tourist centre, in an ordinary residential area of south-east Oxford. City buses towards Cowley and Rose Hill run from the centre, and cycling takes a little over ten minutes. It stands beside the street, so there is no ticket and no opening time.

When should you visit?

The most striking moment is around 11 November, when Remembrance Day wreaths and poppies are laid at memorials across the UK. At any other time a stop takes just a few minutes and fits easily into a walk through east Oxford.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the memorial? Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed many British war memorials.

When was it unveiled? On 11 November 1923, the fifth anniversary of the Armistice.

Is there an entry fee? No. The memorial is in a public space beside the road.

Is it a listed monument? Yes. It has been Grade II listed since 1972.