Last March we had to take a trip across to the west to Tarbet which is on (freshwater) Loch Lomond side. A narrow stretch of land (and hill) separates it from Arrochar on (sea) Loch Long. There’s only about a mile between them.

The Vikings once dragged their boats over the pass on rollers in order to stravaig up and down Loch Lomond.

The War Memorial lies beside the A 83 a bit nearer to Arrochar than Tarbet but covers both villages.

Reverse view:-

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The dedication is unusual in using Roman Numerals. “In memory MCMXIV-XVIII. MCMXXXIX-XLV”

At the base of the memorial this plaque reads, “The villagers of Arrochar and Tarbet Commemorate 50 Years of Peace VE and VJ Days 1995. With gratitude to those who served.”

Kendal’s War Memorial, a statue of a standing soldier with slung rifle, is set beside the main street.

The inscription reads, “In honour of the men of Kendal who loyally served in THE GREAT WAR and in proud and grateful memory of those named hereon who gave their lives for their country this monument is erected by their fellow townsmen.”

The lower panel here bears World War 2 names:-

World War 1939-1945:-

From south. Great War names:-

World War 2 names. Upper plaque bears one name for the Koran War:-

From north. Great War names:-

Stepped wall with central pillar surmounted by strolling soldier with slung rifle.

From banks of River Avon. Evesham Abbey Belltower behind:-

Reverse view. River Avon below:-

Closer view. Evesham Abbey Belltower again visible.:-

Incsription. “To the enduring memory of the Glorious Dead of the Borough of Evesham who gave their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1920.” That “1920” is unusual.

Great War Memorial Plaques:-

Second World War Memorial Plaques:-

Cressage is a village in Shropshire we passed through on our onward journey from Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

The War Memorial is a Celtic Cross and stands at a road junction in the village.

The base is inscribed, “To the glory of God and in honoured memory of the following men who died on active service in the Great War 1914 – 1918.”

Reverse View. Inscribed, “1939 – 1945. In memory of A. Manning. F. Roberts.”

I realised that we would be very near Ironbridge on our trip across England after the game at Oswestry and so couldn’t miss visiting the site of the first iconic construction of the Industrial Revolution.

The eponymous bridge is a beautiful shape. Imagine our disappointment when we found it swathed in plastic. It was undergoing repairs/refurbishment.

So, I have walked over the iron bridge – pedestrian traffic was allowed – but have not actually seen it.

We’ll just need to go back another time.

Still, it wasn’t a completely wasted stop; there was an extensively stocked second-hand bookshop in the village itself near to the bridge and a pleasing War Memorial.

Wolrd War 2 Dedication. “The Church clock was illuminated as a memorial to the followimg men of Ironbridge who lost their lives during the 1939-1945 war”:-

From south. Great War Names:-

From North. Great War dedication. “In grateful and undying memory of the valiant men of Ironbridge who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914 – 1919. We thank God upon every remembrance of you.”

This simple Celtic cross surmounting a tapering pillar lies just over the Welsh border on the Oswestry-Welshpool road, the A483.

Upper dedication, “1939-1945. Their Memory is blessed. “Second World War names.

Lower dedication, “To the glory of God and in proud and grateful memory of..” Great War names. “The trumpet shall sound. Yr udgorn a gan.”

King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) Roll of Honour:-

Roll of Honour, Shropshire Towns:-

KSLI Battle Honours, St Chad’s, Shrewsbury:-

Great War and World War 2-

Other Conflicts-

Roll of Honour and Far East Memorial:-

Burma Star Memorial:-

Figure of St Michael Archangel inside a circular topped rotunda inscribed, “In memory of the men and women of Shropshire who fell in the two World Wars 1914–18 and 1939–45.”

The statue stands on a hexagonal plinth, which is surrounded by 6 hexagonal plaques laid into the floor of the monument.

In front of the statue, the first plaque is inscribed, “Remember the gallant men and women of Shropshire who gave their lives for God, King and country 1914–18 and 1939-45.” Five other plaques show the county arms of Shropshire, a Croix de Guerre, an empty cross in front of a rising sun, the badge of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and the arms of the town of Shrewsbury.

St Chad’s Church in background:-

A brass plaque on the ground in front of the gates of the enclosure is inscribed, “This War Memorial was built in 1922-3 in honour of the men and women of Shropshire who fell in the Great War of 1914-18. The war dead of 1939-45 are also commemorated by this monument.”

After the Second World War the military camp at Oswestry became a centre for Canadian troops, then the Royal Artillery and finally a training centre for Infantry Junior Leaders.

Also in the Oswestry War Memorial garden area is a Memorial to these Junior Leaders. Deus Vult translates as God wills.

Dedication plaque:-

Plaque to Junior Leaders who died on active service:-

Junior Leaders Association appreciation for Oswestry:-