North Wales Heroes’ Memorial, Bangor.

The memorial takes the form of a gateway measuring approximately 21 feet by 30 feet by 35 feet high. Exterior and interior walls of stone and marble facings, concrete floors and oak panelled ceilings [Manchester Guardian 15 June 1922 page 1]

NORTH WALES HEROES’ MEMORIAL - The Welsh National Eisteddfod prize of £100 for a design for the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial, for erection in the grounds of the University College, at a cost of £15,000, has been awarded by Mr Gilbert Scott ARA to Mr D Wynne Thomas MSA, Old St Paul’s Vicarage, Bolton. Mr Gilbert Scott says the design is refined, scholarly, and displays architectural sense of style superior to the forty other designs sent for open competition. Its simplicity and restraint produces a dignity in keeping with the purpose of the memorial, and the contrasts between plain surface and enrichment are effective, but it requires modifications, as it is hardly imposing enough for the site. Mr Gilbert Scott adds several suggestions for attaining the object indicated. Mr Thomas was announced during the Eisteddfod to be the winner of the ten guinea prize offered for the best design for a memorial hall and facade thereof to seat about 1,000 people. It is intended that the names of the fallen shall be recorded suitably in books or on screens. There being from 8,000 to 10,000 names, it was felt that so large a number could not be cut into the wall surfaces. The committee do not bind themselves to use the successful design, but, if it is adopted, remuneration in addition to the ,100 prize will be paid. The memorial is to cost no more than £15,000. [Building News 23 September 1921 page 184].

NORTH WALES HEROES’ MEMORIAL – DESIGN PRIZE WON BY BOLTON ARCHITECT - The Welsh National Eisteddfod prize of £100 for a design for the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial, for erection in the grounds of the University College, at a cost of £15,000, has been awarded by Sir Gilbert Scott to Mr D Wynne Thomas MSA, Old St Paul’s Vicarage, Bolton. Mr Gilbert Scott says the design is refined, scholarly, and displays architectural sense of style superior to the forty other designs sent for open competition. Its simplicity and restraint produces a dignity in keeping with the purpose of the memorial, and the contrasts between plain surface and enrichment are effective, but it requires modifications, as it is hardly imposing enough for the site. Mr Gilbert Scott adds several suggestions for attaining the object indicated. [Manchester Guardian 17 September 1921 page 11]

This Memorial erected at Bangor was opened by HRH the Prince of Wales on 1 November (1923). The nature of the existing University Buildings, designed by the late Henry T Hare FRIBA determined the character of the design, which has been kept extremely simple. The main requirement was space for 8,200 names of the fallen from the six counties of North Wales. This is provided on oak panels in the Memorial Hall on the first floor. The archway has been erected at the corner of Deinol Road and Glanrafon Hill and a wide pathway leads from the gateway to the University. The exterior is of Cefn stone, The ceiling to the Memorial Hall is oak. [Architectural Review March 1924 page 98-99]

Reference    Building News 23 September 1921 page 184 - architectural competition
Reference    Manchester Guardian 17 September 1921 page 11
Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 June 1922 page 1 – contracts
Reference    Architectural Review Volume 55, March 1924 page 98-99 with photographs