Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial stands outside the Church of St Peter (Grade I-listed) on a triangle of grass at the roadside. The sandstone monument, c2.5m tall, takes the form of a tapering pillar, square on plan. The pillar is surmounted by a pyramidal cap, below which, to the front, is a wreath suspended from a ribbon carved in relief.

The principal dedicatory inscription, on the main body of the pillar, reads OUR FALLEN HEROES / 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES). Below this on the base the later inscription continues 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES). One First World War name is recorded to the west face of the memorial, reading WALCOT HARMOOD BANNER, (CAPT).

The Memorial stands on a square step and is enclosed by a square fence of round-headed iron railings with a small gate to the north side.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Aston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was unveiled by Colonel DH Talbot and dedicated on 27 February 1922, commemorating 16 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War a further five names were added recording those who died in that conflict.

Reasons for Listing

Aston War Memorial, which stands on Aston Lane, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet elegant memorial in the Classical style;
* Group value: with the Church of St Peter (Grade I) and a number of Grade II-listed churchyard monuments.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q62086478

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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