Originally the frontage onto Southgate Street consisted of an 8 foot high wall that followed the line of the pavement. Plans to create a Memorial Garden to honour the memory of those soldiers of the Regiment who had fallen in battle included making the Garden more accessible to the public. The result is as you now see it with the wall much lower and a wider pavement with easier access to the Regimental Museum.
We are always very happy when people want to come to the Memorial Garden for some quiet time or just to eat their lunch as a relaxing break from the office. All that we ask is that you leave the place as you found it so others can enjoy it too.
Anyone who has served in the Royal Hampshire Regiment may, if they wish, have their ashes scattered on the rose beds in the Garden. More formal religious services are held in the Memorial Garden at various times of the year, usually as part of Reunions or gatherings of our Comrades.
To coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Regiment in 1702, the Garden was re-designed and dedicated to those members of the Regiment who had died while serving their Country. The Service was led by the then Bishop of Winchester and the Duke of Wellington who was the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and was attended by representatives from the County and serving and former members of the Regiment.
Entering the Garden, visitors pass ornamental pillars and through wrought iron gates incorporating the Regiment’s crest. A flagpole, surmounts the plinth of Portland Stone into which is carved, by century, all the countries in which the Regiment has served.
Facing the visitor is carved the lines from Shakespeare’s Henry V:
“In Peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger”
If you would like to know more information about the Memorial Garden please e-mail the Regimental Secretary in Serle’s House at museum@royalhampshireregiment.org.
