WINCHESTER College has launched public tours of its War Cloister memorial to mark its centenary.
Described by Historic England as the largest private war memorial in Europe, the War Cloister was commissioned by the school's headmaster, Montague Rendall, to commemorate the 500 Wykehamists killed in the First World War.
It was designed by the architect Sir Herbert Baker and dedicated 100 years ago, on May 31, 1924, by the Bishop of Winchester, with the foundation stone being laid in 1922 by former pupil Edward Grey.
To mark the 100-years since its dedication, Winchester College is now running tours of the War Cloister, with visitors having already been shown around the memorial.
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War Cloister guide, Sandra Showell, said: “It was a delight to be able to show round our very first visitors who showed a huge amount of interest in the stories of the men who are remembered in War Cloister.”
Headmaster of Winchester College, Ms Elizabeth Stone, said: “All the pupils and staff at Winchester College take tremendous pride in remembering those who have sacrificed their lives in past conflicts.
“War Cloister is an important part of daily life at the College, and most of our pupils walk through War Cloister multiple times a day on their way to lessons.”
Tours run every week on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2pm and 3.30pm, starting at the Porters’ Lodge on College Street.
To book tickets, visit ticketsource.com/winchester-college.
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