Uva World War Memorial in Badulla (ඌව ලෝක සංග්‍රාමයේ යුද්ධ ස්මාරකය)

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The War Memorial for the veterans from the Uva region who had laid down their lives between 1914 and 1917 in the 1st World War at Badulla stands inside the property of historic St. Marks Church which was built as a memorial for Major Thomas William Rogers (the Government Agent for Badulla District) considered one of the most prolific hunters of Sri Lankan elephants.

This memorial made of granite blocks was unveiled on 16th March 1924 in memory of 32 men in Uva who laid down their lives during the First World War between 1914 and 1918. Along with that, a brass mural tablet containing all the names of the fallen men was unveiled in the St. Marks Church.

The War Memorial in the form of an obelisk, was located on the lawn opposite the town hall. The obelisk, crafted by Mr. A. Woodeson, was constructed using stone slabs sourced from Badulla. These slabs were quarried, dressed, smoothed, and engraved by a skilled Sinhalese mason from Galle, who also oversaw its erection. Originally positioned on the lawn to offer a frontal view to those entering the town from the Bandarawela direction, the monument features a base adorned with four dwarf pillars at its corners. Two sur-bases support the column, which rises to approximately 15 feet from the ground.

The striking wreath adorning the obelisk’s facade was intricately crafted by the same mason responsible for similar work on the Victory Column in Colombo. Beneath the wreath, the inscription “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE” is engraved prominently in large characters.

On the reverse of the column is engraved Uva’s Roll of Honour, which is as follows;

W. BELL
H.W.B. BREMNER
C.D. BRIGHT
G.E. BURNEY
A. BURROUGH
W. CADGE
W.R. CASSIE
A.D. CAVE
H.A.E. DE VOS
H.P. EVANS
L.H.R. GRAY
A.R. GRIFFITHS
F.H. GRIGSON
S.V. HASLUCK
E.A.R. INNES
J. IRVINE

H.E JOHNSON
C.H. KALE
R.H. LANGRISHE
A.E. PETER
E. DARLEY POWELL
H.J.C. PRIOR
R.A. RENDALL
G.A. RETTIE
H.F. RUSSELL
A.C. SAXTON
H.H. SLOANE STANLEY
T.P. SIRISENA
T.B. SMITH
G.E. VENNER
H. WALTER
R.B.M. WATERHOUSE

At one time in the past, this monument has been shifted to the St. Marks Church in Badulla town, where you can see it today.

References

Perera, K.N. (2023) ‘ War Memorials In Sri Lanka – Boer War (1899 -1902), First World War (1914 – 1918) And Second World War (1939 – 1945)’. Colombo: Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association.

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Map of Uva World War Memorial in Badulla

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References

Also See

Map of Uva World War Memorial in Badulla

Travel Directions to the Uva World War Memorial in Badulla

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