It was designed by the borough architect, Ernest Morgan, and closely resembles Edwin Lutyens' Cenotaph in London.

The memorial cost £3,000, raised by public subscription: over £9,000 was donated, and £3,000 of the excess was directed to assist the children of the fallen.

The competed memorial was unveiled by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Doveton Sturdee a year later, on 21 July 1923, with a dedication by the vicar of Swansea, Prebendary Cecil Wilson.

The sides of the pylon bear bronze low reliefs: on both short sides are bronze wreaths and the dates "1914-1918" and "1939-1945"; the long side facing the sea bears a bronze anchor within a wreath; and the long side facing the land bears the coat of arms of the City of Swansea and the Latin inscription "Pro Deo Rege et Patria" ("For God, King and Country").

The foundation stone bears an inscription which records it was laid by Earl Haig in 1922 over a King's shilling placed by Mrs Fewings, representing war widows.