The unveiling of Shropshire War Memorial, Shrewsbury, on July 29, 1922. Built at the top of the main avenue of the Quarry, it was designed in the form of a classic temple, with inside a life-size bronze figure of St Michael, holding his lance in his left hand, with the right extended in the act of blessing. The memorial was complemented by a bound Roll of Honour, containing 5,581 names. The unveiling was by Lord Powis, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, and hundreds of relatives and friends of the fallen were there. It was the "visible" memorial, as there was another war memorial - supporting local hospitals. At the time of the unveiling £9,000 had already been given by the war memorial fund to the Royal Salop Infirmary and a like amount to Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital. Incidentally, an idea had been floated of creating a memorial on The Wrekin, perhaps in the form of a large cross. Views across the county were canvassed, but there was not much support, although Wellington and Much Wenlock were in favour.placeholder image
The unveiling of Shropshire War Memorial, Shrewsbury, on July 29, 1922. Built at the top of the main avenue of the Quarry, it was designed in the form of a classic temple, with inside a life-size bronze figure of St Michael, holding his lance in his left hand, with the right extended in the act of blessing. The memorial was complemented by a bound Roll of Honour, containing 5,581 names. The unveiling was by Lord Powis, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, and hundreds of relatives and friends of the fallen were there. It was the "visible" memorial, as there was another war memorial - supporting local hospitals. At the time of the unveiling £9,000 had already been given by the war memorial fund to the Royal Salop Infirmary and a like amount to Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital. Incidentally, an idea had been floated of creating a memorial on The Wrekin, perhaps in the form of a large cross. Views across the county were canvassed, but there was not much support, although Wellington and Much Wenlock were in favour. | Ray Farlow

In pictures: Remembering the stories behind Shropshire's war memorials

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Shropshire remembers

Across the county ceremonies will be held at war memorials to give thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Typically those memorials take the form of an obelisk or stone cross on a plinth, with an inscription bearing the names of the dead. But unlike the individual graves of the fallen, in which a standard and familiar form was adopted so all were equal in death, communities were free to choose how to honour and remember their heroes.

They did it in various and imaginative ways. Some were pieces of art, with magnificent and poignant statues, while some communities chose a more functional path, such as through building a new public hall.

We’ve chosen just 10 to feature, spanning the rich heritage of remembrance. And of course it does not really matter what form the memorial takes - what matters is that we continue to express our gratitude to those who gave everything.

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