Cross of Sacrifice
Monument
The Cross of Sacrifice is a standardized war memorial monument commonly placed within Commonwealth war cemeteries to commemorate military dead. It is characterized by a stone Latin cross with an inset bronze sword and was designed as a cemetery feature rather than a single isolated monument.
The design was produced after the First World War to appear in cemeteries that contained a threshold number of Commonwealth war graves; the Cross of Sacrifice has been used across many countries and cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It functions as a focal point for memorial services and cemetery layout.
The Cross of Sacrifice is a type of monument rather than a unique site and is installed in Commonwealth war cemeteries worldwide where specified by the Commission’s design rules. Its placement is typically within the formal plan of a military cemetery.
- Design and use: Designed by British architect Sir Reginald Blomfield, the Cross of Sacrifice typically combines a stone Latin cross with a bronze downward-pointing sword and appears in Commonwealth war cemeteries worldwide.
How to Get to Cross of Sacrifice #
The Cross of Sacrifice is installed in many Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. To reach a specific Cross of Sacrifice, consult the CWGC website to identify the cemetery at the given coordinates and follow local directions to that cemetery.
Tips for Visiting Cross of Sacrifice #
- Look for the sword on the face of the cross - Blomfield's design always features a bronze or stone sword aligned with the shaft.
- If visiting a Commonwealth cemetery, treat the site with quiet respect; the Cross of Sacrifice often occupies the cemetery's highest or most central point.
- Seek out any small plaque that records the designer and erection date - many CWGC crosses include that brief attribution.
Best Time to Visit Cross of Sacrifice #
Visit during mild-weather months for comfortable walking and to see cemetery plantings at their best.
Weather & Climate near Cross of Sacrifice #
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (735 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (144 mm).
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