Winchester war memorial rifleman nicknamed 'Sloppy Joe'

Summarised from Romsey Advertiser's report · Updated 6 Nov, 09:16 · Archive

A bronze rifleman at Winchester's First World War memorial was nicknamed 'Sloppy Joe' because of its unusually relaxed stance.

The King's Royal Rifle Corps War Memorial stands in Winchester's Cathedral Close, unveiled on 26 May 1922 to commemorate those who died in the First World War. Designed by renowned sculptor John Tweed, the memorial features a bronze rifleman in full service dress, carrying a Lee-Enfield rifle, knapsack and ammunition pouches.

The figure's relaxed pose surprised some at the time. The general who unveiled the memorial reportedly expected a soldier standing to attention, leading to the figure being nicknamed 'Sloppy Joe'. A cathedral spokesperson said that modern sergeant majors have been known to march miscreant recruits to the memorial to warn them: 'If ever I catch you on parade looking like that, you will all be on a charge'.

The memorial is created from Portland stone and bronze and commemorates the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and riflemen of the KRRC. A post-Second World War inscription was later added to the monument.

Read the report

• This is why Winchester’s war memorial rifleman is nicknamed ‘Sloppy Joe’Designed by renowned sculptor John Tweed, the memorial features a rifleman in full service dress, carrying a Lee-Enfield rifle, knapsack and ammunition pouches.Romsey Advertiser · 6 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Winchester · King's Royal Rifle Corps · John Tweed · Cathedral Close

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