South Africa sent many units to fight in the first World War and, in common with most South African towns and villages, both East London and King William’s Town erected memorials for those who lost their lives. The horrific loss of life generated deep emotions and the proliferation of memorials was an effort to justify and glorify those who had died. East London had five cenotaphs erected, 2 memorial windows, and six rolls of honor were inscribed and located in various buildings around town.
The central memorial is set within a square enclosed by wrought iron railings, with lamps on pillars at each corner. The memorial is of the cenotaph style and with a shaft resting on a platform of sandstone blocks. Each face has the names of various battle fonts. On the north face is life size bronze sculpture of the soldier in full trench kit. Above the figure is the coat of arms of East London and with inscription “To the men of East London who fell in the Great War, 1915 to 1918. The names are inscribed on the lower faces of the memorial.