Citizens’ War Memorial

Standing with quiet dignity in Cathedral Square is the Citizens’ War Memorial.

Unveiled in 1937, the memorial rises 16 metres high and is both solemn and deeply symbolic. Six bronze figures are arranged around a central stone cross, each carefully chosen to tell a story of loss, courage, hope, and responsibility. 

At the heart of the memorial sits a figure with outstretched arms in an attitude of sacrifice. She represents the Mothers of the Empire, grieving for sons lost in war. Her presence grounds the memorial in personal loss, reminding us that behind every name and every uniform was a family forever changed.

She is flanked by two figures. St George, clad in armour, represents valour and protection, embodying courage in the face of conflict. Beside him stands a figure holding a torch, symbolising youth and the young lives sent into war, full of promise and potential.

Above them, on the next level, are two more figures: Peace, holding an olive branch and a dove, and Justice, blindfolded and carrying scales. Together, they point toward the ideals hoped for after war’s end - fairness, reconciliation, and a future free from conflict.

At the very top stands an angel, unnamed. Originally intended to be called “Victory,” the War Memorial Committee deliberately chose not to give it that title. Instead, the angel bends a sword beneath raised arms, referencing the biblical verse Isaiah 2:4 “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares.” It is a powerful rejection of triumphalism, and a quiet commitment to peace over conquest.

Engraved at the base are the words:

“In grateful remembrance of the sons and daughters of Canterbury who fell in the Great War 1914–1918. Give peace in our time O Lord.”

It is both a dedication and a prayer.

Following the Christchurch earthquakes, the memorial suffered damage and was carefully disassembled and placed into storage while repairs were undertaken. In 2023, after extensive restoration work, the memorial returned to Cathedral Square and was rededicated in a special service attended by HRH Princess Anne.  

Today, the Citizens’ War Memorial once again stands watch over Christchurch. It is a place where locals and visitors alike can stop, reflect, and pay their respects, honouring those who gave their lives, and reminding us of the cost of war and of the enduring hope for peace.