In the United Kingdom, there are more than 100,000 war memorials, with nearly two-thirds constructed after the First World War. The significant number of military personnel lost during the Great War resulted in most towns and villages having public memorials dedicated to individuals who served. Some memorials also recognize those who returned from the conflict.

 

The monuments were funded through public contributions or private subscriptions, often featuring a "Roll of Honour" listing both civilian and military casualties. These memorials are commonly situated in places such as churches, public buildings and spaces, factories, railway stations, collieries, and schools.

 

Discussions regarding a memorial in Hemel Hempstead began in 1919, leading to various proposals about its form. While an upright cross was initially not preferred, alternatives like a village hall were considered; Apsley Village Hall serves as one example. For over a year, the topic was debated and regularly reported in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette.

 

Before a final decision was made, an unofficial memorial—a WW1 tank given to Hemel Hempstead by the National War Savings Committee in 1920—stood nearby.

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Delivered to Heath Park railway depot and displayed outside

the Heath Park Hotel, the tank remained until World War II,

when it was scrapped to support the war effort.

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In February 1919, the Town Council "decided that any war

memorial that may be erected should take the form of a

technical Institute." The following month, on 12 March at the

next Council meeting, and on the Mayor's suggestion, the idea

of also  erecting a "wayside cross" was included.

 

Public meetings held on 21 and 22 March in Hemel Hempstead, 

Boxmoor, and Apsley each supported different options:

one favored hospital improvements and the wayside cross;

another backed a technical institute and the cross; the third

supported only the cross.

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Finally, on 9th April 1919 "the Council decided that a cross be erected at a cost not exceeding £1,000, and that the surplus funds be divided between the erection of a childrens' ward at the hospital and the technical institute."

 

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