Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with additions for later conflicts.

Description

The memorial stands on the southern side of the village cemetery, close to the gate on Waterslade Road. It comprises a c2m high, dark grey, rough-hewn Aberdeen Granite rectangular-sectioned block. Carved in relief to the head of the south face are the Union and French flags with 1914 above and 1919 below.

Inscribed below the flags in carved, painted lettering is TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD/ WHO CHAMPIONED OUR CAUSE IN THE GREAT WAR/ AND FOR US MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE/ (39 NAMES)/ “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS”.

On the east face is carved in relief 1939 1945 with the 21 names of those men and women who died during the Second World War beneath, in precisely similar style to the First World War names. On the north face an inscription records the death of a local soldier in Iraq in 2007.

In about 2010 the memorial was reset on a three-stage black marble stepped base, and a black marble tablet commemorating the death of a Polish pilot killed nearby in 1943 was placed alongside. These are excluded from the listing, as are five Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones and a surrounding concrete post and chain fence.

History

The memorial, commemorating the servicemen from Yaxley who died during the First World War, was unveiled in 1920 by Dr HS Cooper and Mr W Goodman. It was made by Mr R Cox of Peterborough at a cost of £185. The names of servicemen and women who died in the Second World War were later added, as was the name of a Royal Marine who died in Iraq in 2007.

Reasons for Listing

Yaxley War Memorial, Cambridgeshire, which stands in the village cemetery, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in conflicts of the C20 and C21;
* Design: a substantial and sombre memorial.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677307

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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