A memorial hall is a hall built to commemorate an individual or group; most commonly those who have died in war. Most are intended for public use and are sometimes described as utilitarian memorials.[1]
In the aftermath of the First World War, many towns and villages looked to commemorate casualties from their communities. Community leaders were expected to organise local committees to construct memorials[2] and halls, for the benefit of the local community, were often seen as appropriate ways in which to honour those who had lost their lives. Most incorporate a plaque or stone, individually naming casualties, although, in some cases, they were built instead of war memorials.[3] Most First World War memorial halls would later go on to be rededicated as memorials to those who also died in the Second World War. In post-war times, many Second World War Memorials would later be rededicated to those who lost their lives in numerous modern wars.
Memorial halls often serve the functions of village halls.