The History of the Mumbles War Memorial

A Landmark of Remembrance

Standing in Southend Gardens and looking out across Swansea Bay, the Mumbles War Memorial has, for more than a century, served as a place of remembrance for the men and women of Mumbles and its surrounding communities who gave their lives in the service of their country. Its history reflects both the profound sacrifices made during times of war and the enduring determination of local people to honour those who never returned.

Herald of Wales

The First Memorial: The 1918 Shrine

Even before the First World War had drawn to a close, the people of Mumbles sought a way to commemorate those already lost. On 14 September 1918, a simple wooden structure known as “The Shrine” was erected in Southend Gardens. Modest in appearance but powerful in purpose, it became one of the earliest war memorials in the district. Throughout the final months of the war and the difficult years that followed, it provided a focal point for public mourning, remembrance services and quiet reflection.

By 1923, as discussions continued about creating a permanent memorial, the Herald of Wales published an illustrated image showing what the future monument might look like, offering the public an early visual impression of the proposed design. The wooden shrine remained in place for two decades, standing as a temporary but deeply valued symbol of remembrance until plans for the lasting memorial were completed.

The Granite Memorial of 1939

The present granite memorial was unveiled on 30 July 1939 by Mrs Ann Hixson, on the very site where the original shrine had stood. Remarkably, it became one of the last memorials in Britain to be dedicated solely to the fallen of the Great War.

Designed in the form of a cenotaph, the monument honoured the men of Mumbles who had died during the First World War. Yet only weeks after its unveiling, Europe was once again plunged into conflict. Following the end of the Second World War, the dates “1939–1945” were added to the memorial, extending its purpose to commemorate those who fell in both world wars.

Mumbles War Memorial

Later Additions and Post‑War Commemoration

As later generations served in conflicts around the world, the memorial continued to evolve. The reverse side of the monument was dedicated to those who died in service after 1945. Among the names inscribed are Lieutenant John Philip Eynon of the Fleet Air Arm, who died in 1957, and Royal Marine Bandsman Richard Mark Jones, one of the eleven servicemen killed in the IRA bombing at Deal, Kent, in 1989.

In 2006, Mumbles Community Council undertook a significant restoration and enhancement project. New granite side panels bearing the names of the fallen were added, and the memorial was formally rededicated on Remembrance Day. Further historical research led to additional names being added in 2011, ensuring that no local serviceman was left unremembered.

Those Who Served and Sacrificed

The memorial records the sacrifice of men from Mumbles, Oystermouth, Newton and neighbouring communities. Among those commemorated are members of the Swansea Pals Battalion, sailors of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, airmen, soldiers and local volunteers who served throughout the twentieth century. Many of their stories have been uncovered through the Mumbles War Memorials Research Project, ensuring that their lives, families and sacrifices are preserved for future generations.

A Place of Reflection and Community Memory

Today, the Mumbles War Memorial remains central to annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations. Overlooking the sea that has shaped the history and identity of the village, it stands not only as a monument to loss but also as a symbol of gratitude, continuity and collective memory.

More than a century after the first wooden shrine was raised, the memorial continues to connect the present with the past. It remains one of the most significant historical landmarks in Mumbles—a lasting reminder of the cost of war and the enduring value of peace.