Summary

A First World War memorial, later amended to commemorate the casualties of the Second World War.

Description

A First World War memorial, later amended to commemorate the casualties of the Second World War.

MATERIAL: granite.

DESCRIPTION: a wheel cross tops a tall shaft that stands on a tapering plinth and a square base. The names of the fallen are shown in raised lettering on recessed panels on the front and side faces of the plinth. On the front (south) face the dedication reads; ‘ERECTED IN MEMORY OF’, followed by the names of those who died during the First World War, ‘WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 -1918’. The side faces include the names of those who died during the Second World War and the dedication reads, on the east face; ‘1939 1945/ THE PATH OF DUTY WAS THE WAY TO GLORY’ and on the west face; 'ALSO TO COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO NOBLY/ RESPONDED TO THEIR COUNTRY'S CALL’.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 11 January 2017.

History

The memorial was erected to commemorate the men of the parish of Pilning who died fighting in the First World War. The cross was damaged in March 1943 during a bombing raid and the parish council sought help for the repairs from Gloucestershire County Council. The United States Army also paid for repairs as compensation for the damage caused by the collision of an army lorry in 1946. The work included renewing the lettering and adding the names of those who died during the Second World War. The memorial has been moved to various locations over the years in order to provide better protection, all in the vicinity of its original position near Hands Cross Junction. This occurred most recently in 1994 when it was moved to the centre of the junction on a raised cobbled platform and surrounded by set of modern concrete bollards and linking metal chains.

Reasons for Listing

Pilning War Memorial 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 the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: it is a well-executed wheel-cross design.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677322

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)