Compton War Memorial with its lamp. Designed by Mary Watts. Photo Marie Clements, November 2025
The carved inscription on the monument reads:
‘In honoured memory of the men of Compton who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918.
“Through the ages one clear flame of sacrifice has burned, and by its light men see god.”‘
This elegant, unique, Grade II war memorial in an Arts and Crafts style was designed by Mary Watts, and is an important feature of the thriving historic – and current – artists’ village of Compton, Surrey. Mary and her celebrated husband, artist G. F. Watts, settled here in the Surrey Hills, and as was the case with all things aesthetic, Mary played a key role in the conception and execution of this Grey York Stone village war memorial – with its lamp. The Compton War Memorial was worked by A. and G. Avery from nearby Farncombe, at Mary’s home, Limnerslease, under her supervision. The stone shaft is surmounted by a terracotta lantern made by the Compton Pottery that Mary founded, which was staffed by village people. The lamp is lit at night.
Unveiled and blessed on an afternoon in April 1922, the Compton village war memorial is dedicated to those who died in World War I – on land and at sea – mostly in France, one in Mesopotamia, and at the Battle of Jutland. A number of the Compton servicemen from WWI have no known grave. Compton people who died in WWII are remembered on the newer plaque on the wall of the stone enclosure around the memorial.
Dedication of the Compton war memorial in April 1922. Photo: ‘Compton War Memorial’ www.compton-surrey.co.uk/compton-war-memorial
The Compton village website has a page dedicated to its war memorial. An excellent booklet can be downloaded which poignantly documents the making of the memorial, its history and the lives of those who were lost: https://www.compton-surrey.co.uk/compton-war-memorial
The ancient church of St Nicholas in Compton is marking Remembrance Sunday & Eucharist on 9th November 2025 from 10:15 – 12:00 hrs. The war memorial on The Street is at the beginning of the path to the church.
Stained glass in memory of Harold Cliff Hodges. Born 1918, killed in action in Italy on 16th January 1944. St Nicholas Church Compton. Photo Marie Clements.
Read the Historic England list entry for the memorial here.
The first talk, by Lynne Walker FRIBA, in our recent online Lecture Series on Victorian and Edwardian Women in Architecture deals in part with Mary Watts‘ work, and can be accessed here as a recording. To visit Watts Gallery and Artists’s Village, including Mary and G.F. Watts house Limnerslease read more.
Designer of the Compton War Memorial, Mary Watts. Photo: Watts Gallery Trust
