The Onchan war memorial was moved in 1982, as part of a road widening scheme - which clearly didn’t make much difference to the traffic - to its current location.
The Isle of Man Examiner reported on the unveiling of the memorial: 'Castletown contributed in an especial degree, in proportion to its population, towards the defence of the Empire ...one street having as many as 57 men in the army, navy and mercantile marine, and consequently its Roll of Honour, it’s contribution of final sacrifice, has been remarkably heavy...Seventy seven names are inscribed...'
Similar to the memorial at Lezayre, we see a soldier adorning the memorial. We can tell he is a WW1 soldier, from what he is wearing. There is the recognisable Brodie helmet, but also Puttees - long strips of khaki wool that were wrapped tightly around the lower leg, from the ankle to the knee, providing extra support and protection for the soldiers' legs, as well as helping to prevent trench foot - an affliction common among troops deployed in muddy trenches. Around two million men found themselves in the khaki uniform of the British Army by 1918. The puttee, worn as a binding around the shins, was one of its most distinctive features. On the west face of the memorial there is a laurel wreath above the main inscription, and a gold cross near the top of the column. On the east face there is a cross in stonework near the top of the column, corresponding with the gold cross on the west face. Originally, four flowers in bronze were provided on each face - alas - two were removed due to damage on the east face and one was broken off the north face. The architect was Ewart Crellin of Douglas and the sculptor was Harry Hemms & Sons of Exeter and T. Quayle of Douglas. 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.' - Laurence Binyon
The Onchan war memorial was moved in 1982, as part of a road widening scheme - which clearly didn’t make much difference to the traffic - to its current location.
The Isle of Man Examiner reported on the unveiling of the memorial: 'Castletown contributed in an especial degree, in proportion to its population, towards the defence of the Empire ...one street having as many as 57 men in the army, navy and mercantile marine, and consequently its Roll of Honour, it’s contribution of final sacrifice, has been remarkably heavy...Seventy seven names are inscribed...'
Similar to the memorial at Lezayre, we see a soldier adorning the memorial. We can tell he is a WW1 soldier, from what he is wearing. There is the recognisable Brodie helmet, but also Puttees - long strips of khaki wool that were wrapped tightly around the lower leg, from the ankle to the knee, providing extra support and protection for the soldiers' legs, as well as helping to prevent trench foot - an affliction common among troops deployed in muddy trenches. Around two million men found themselves in the khaki uniform of the British Army by 1918. The puttee, worn as a binding around the shins, was one of its most distinctive features. On the west face of the memorial there is a laurel wreath above the main inscription, and a gold cross near the top of the column. On the east face there is a cross in stonework near the top of the column, corresponding with the gold cross on the west face. Originally, four flowers in bronze were provided on each face - alas - two were removed due to damage on the east face and one was broken off the north face. The architect was Ewart Crellin of Douglas and the sculptor was Harry Hemms & Sons of Exeter and T. Quayle of Douglas. 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.' - Laurence Binyon
