Summary
Concrete Obelisk with metal inscription plaque bequeathing Weardale to NT by W A Robertson in memory of his brothers
Identification Images (1)
Most Recent Monitoring
None Recorded
Monument Types
- WAR MEMORIAL (Early 20th C - 1901 AD to 1932 AD)
Description
(1) Concrete Obelisk with metal inscription plaque bequeathing Weardale to NT by W A Robertson in memory of his brothers
The Robertson War Memorial Bequest Obelisk marks one of nine such memorial landscapes, acquired in January 1940 and in accordance with the bequest by William Robertson, who died in 1937. His wish was for the National Trust to acquire land ‘within reasonably easy access of London’ in memory of his two younger brothers. Its designer, Laurence Turner (1864–1957), was an architectural sculptor and modeller known for his church commissions and the tomb of William Morris. The obelisk marks the acquisition of over 70 acres (28.39 hectares) of woodland including the site of Weardale Manor which was demolished in 1939. The coming war claimed the life of Owen Fleming’s only son, who was killed in North Africa in 1943. Images of rural scenes by the German university students who were hosted at Toys Hill by Fleming, as part of his efforts between the wars at Anglo-German reconciliation, adorn the walls of the village hall above panelling inscribed to the memory of his and his wife: ‘Oh! What a brutal life this is. We were born into this world to appreciate life and all its beauties
References
- --- SNA64576 - National Trust Report: Archaeology South-East. 2011. Archaeological and Historic Landscape Survey: Toys Hill, Brasted Chart, Kent.
- --- SNA70628 - Unpublished document: National Trust. 2025. Statement of Significance for Robertson Memorial Obelisks and Landscapes.
- --- SNA70629 - Article in serial: Surrey History. 2025. Memorials and Landscape. VII. 2.
- <1>XY SNA68886 - Conservation Plan: Jeremy Lake and Nicola Bannister. 2021. Unlocking the West Kent Landscape
West Kent Landscape. 1. [Mapped feature: #162388 Concrete Obelisk with metal inscription plaque bequeathing Weardale to NT by W A Robertson in memory of his brothers, ]
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: KENT DOWNS
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Scords Wood
Associated Events
- ENA11166 - HART Monitoring Visit, Monitoring visit on Robertson War Memorial Obelisk, Weardale Manor, Toys Hill
- ENA6169 - Field Survey, Toys Hill Archaeological and Historic Landscape Survey, 2010
- ENA13064 - Heritage Assessment, Statement of Significance Assessment for Robertson Memorial Obelisks and Landscapes
Associated Finds
None Recorded