The Haslemere platform-level signal box, a familiar feature of the station since 1895, holds significant historical value and is now Grade II listed. Originally constructed to replace an earlier structure, it has stood as a symbol of the town’s railway heritage for well over a century.
To preserve this important piece of local history, the Haslemere Signal Box Trust was established. This group leads the way in promoting heritage activities under the Haslemere Community Station initiative. One of their key goals is to transform the signal box into a new visitor attraction, celebrating 200 years of railway history.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment, as the existing signalling system at Haslemere is due to be decommissioned in November 2025. Control will be transferred to the Basingstoke Operations Centre, rendering the historic signal box obsolete.
As part of the broader Railway 200 celebrations and to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a Railway Memorial Garden will be created. This garden will honour the memory of the 626 London & South Western Railway staff who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The Trust’s Chairman, Ken Griffiths, invited local designer Phil Bates to create an appropriate memorial for the garden. His proposed design was approved by both the Trust and Network Rail.
The final memorial design features three 8mm-thick laser-cut stainless steel sections, each 64cm (25 inches) long. The front of the piece is milled and filled with black enamel, creating a striking contrast with the brushed matte steel finish. At its centre is a roundel, flanked by two panels inspired by the iconic British Rail totem. The lettering used is based on classic British Rail typography, reinforcing the design’s historic railway identity.
Phil Bates selected black enamel to enhance visibility and ensure the lettering stands out clearly against the stainless steel background, giving the memorial a dignified and eye-catching appearance. With the unveiling scheduled for VE Day on May 8, 2025, time was of the essence to complete the fabrication on schedule.
Spencer Marsh of Forbes Design, based in Bordon, played a key role in supporting the project, producing the necessary CAD drawings and coordinating with the fabricators. His technical expertise was invaluable in bringing Phil Bates’ complex design to life.
The memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to the railway workers who made the ultimate sacrifice—ensuring that their memory remains an enduring part of Haslemere’s railway heritage.
