Summary

First World War memorial unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial stands alongside the chapel in the town’s Brackley Road cemetery. Of flecked granite and 3m high, it takes the form of an octagonal base surmounted by a square plinth from which rises a Latin cross. The cross shaft and arms are octagonal in section. Each corner of the plinth is ornamented with a blind lancet.

Inscribed in black lettering on the front face of the plinth is 1914 THE GREAT WAR 1918./ GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT/ A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS./ REMEMBER WITH THANKSGIVING THE/ TRUE AND FAITHFUL MEN, WHO IN/ THESE YEARS OF WAR, WENT FORTH/ FROM THIS PLACE FOR GOD AND THE RIGHT/ THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO RETURNED/ NOT AGAIN ARE HERE INSCRIBED TO/ BE HONOURED FOR EVERMORE.

The ranks and names are recorded on the remaining three sides of the plinth.
On the chamfered top of the plinth is inscribed TO THE MEMORY OF/ THOSE OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR FREEDOM IN/ THE WAR 1939-1945. On the opposite side is THEIR NAMES SHALL/ NOT BE FORGOTTEN. The names of the fallen are inscribed on the other sides of the chamfer.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 14/10/2015

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 17 January 2017.

History

Towcester War Memorial commemorates the 62 servicemen who died during the First World War. It was designed and built by Messrs. Pullen of Bridge Street, Northampton and unveiled on 2 May 1920 by Major General Mott. Inscriptions were added to commemorate the 12 servicemen who died during the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Towcester’s War Memorial, which stands in the town’s Brackley Road cemetery, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reason:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677263

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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