World War Memorial in Nuwara Eliya (නුවරඑළිය ලෝක සංග්‍රාමයේ යුද්ධ ස්මාරකය)

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The War Memorial at Nuwara Eliya is situated within Victoria Park, close to the roundabout where Udupussallawa Road, Kandy Road, and Badulla Road converge, near the Araliya Green Hill Hotel. The monument is a cenotaph constructed from substantial granite blocks. It was designed by R. A. Powell, the late provincial engineer of the district, while its construction was executed by the Public Works Department of Nuwara Eliya. The brass plaque affixed to the structure was produced by Messrs. Hoare & Company in England.

Location and Unveiling

The memorial was erected in an area formerly known as Scandal Corner, directly opposite the Grand Hotel. Following the installation of the monument, this site was renamed Memorial Corner. The cenotaph was formally unveiled on 11 November 1922 by Clifford Coffin, V.C., the Officer Commanding Troops in Ceylon.

Commemorative Plaques

The cenotaph bears two plaques. The upper plaque records the names of seventeen veterans who lost their lives between 1914 and 1917 during the First World War. Among those listed are two individuals bearing the surname Pereira, who are identified as Ceylonese war veterans.

The lower plaque commemorates three additional servicemen who died between 1939 and 1945 in the Second World War.

Top Plaque

TO THE GLORIOUS DEAD
1914-1919
N.P. BLAKE
C. BOSWELL
W. CADEGE
A.L. CHALMERS
J.L. CHARMERS
C. CHAMBERS – HUNTER
R. CLARKE
S. HALLEY
F. HOME – RENTON
D.I LYALL
E. B. MILLER – STERLING
G. F. PEREIRA
S. O. L. PEREIA
E. C. PITT – PITTS
W.J. SANDYS THOMAS
L.S.L. THORNTON
B.A. WALLIS WILSON

Bottom Plaque

1939-1945
R.C. ELLIOT
J.C. LAMB
H.C. MASON

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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