Hall of Memory, Birmingham
| Hall of Memory | |
|---|---|
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| General information | |
| Type | War memorial |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Address | Centenary Square |
| Town or city | Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Elevation | Roof is 159.64 m (523.8 ft) ASL |
| Construction started | 12 June 1923 |
| Opened | 4 July 1925 |
| Cost | £60,000 |
| Height | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Portland stone |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Main contractor |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 27 October 2014 |
| Reference no. | 1244943 |
The Hall of Memory in Centenary Square, Birmingham, England, designed by S. N. Cooke and W. N. Twist, is a war memorial erected 1922–25, by John Barnsley and Son, to commemorate the 12,320 Birmingham citizens who died in World War I.
Built directly over a filled-in canal basin of Gibson's Arm, it was the first structure in an area (now occupied by Centenary Square and the International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall) purchased by the council for the creation of a grand civic scheme to include new council offices, the mayor's residence, a public library, and a concert hall. The scheme was abandoned after the commencement of World War II with only half of the planned Baskerville House having been built.
Made from Portland stone, from the Isle of Portland in Dorset, the foundation stone was laid by HRH The Prince of Wales on 12 June 1923 and it was opened by Prince Arthur of Connaught on 4 July 1925 to a crowd of 30,000. Construction had cost £60,000 and was funded through public donations. The four statues around the exterior are by local artist Albert Toft. They represent the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and Women's Services.
The interior features three carved bas-relief plaques (155 cm x 223 cm) by William Bloye representing three tableaux: Call (departure to war), Front Line (fighting), Return (arrival home of the wounded). These bear inscriptions:
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