London Troops War Memorial

Designed by renowned architect Sir Aston Webb with bronze figures by Alfred Drury, the London Troops War Memorial stands proudly outside the Royal Exchange building on Cornhill in the beating heart of the City of London.

London Troops War Memorial history

Once designs for the World War One memorial had been confirmed, a budget of £7,000 was raised by public subscription. On 12 November 1920, the day after the ceremony for the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, it was unveiled by Prince Albert, Duke of York – later King George VI.

For many years after it was unveiled, the clerks of the nearby Bank of England touchingly took it upon themselves to maintain the floral tributes left at the memorial, and it was later altered to include an inscription noting the contribution of London’s servicemen and women during World War Two. In 1972 it became a Grade II listed site, and in the summer of 2016 it was upgraded to Grade II* listed status for the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

London Troops War Memorial today

Today the memorial remains outside the Royal Exchange and has invited people to remember the conflicts of the 20th century for over 100 years.

It consists of a 7.5-metre high Portland stone column atop a granite base, with buttress plinths flanked by life-sized bronzes of soldiers from the Royal Field Artillery and Royal Fusiliers. Commemorating the men and women who gave their lives during World War One and World War Two, the memorial offers visitors a moment of solemn contemplation amongst London’s busy streets.

In the words of Historic England, it is ‘an eloquent witness to the impact of world events on the capital city of the British Empire, and to the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the twentieth century.’

Getting to London Troops War Memorial

The London Troops War Memorial is located in front of the Royal Exchange in the City of London, and can be reached via a number of public transport options. Bank Underground station sits adjacent to the site, while a number of bus services stop at the Bank Station Cornhill Stop. The Bank light rail station is also across the road, while Fenchurch Street railway station is also a 10-minute walk away.