Summary

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

Description

The war memorial stands in a small garden across the road from the Grade II*-listed Church of St Mary the Virgin. The garden is at the west end of The Cross, an open space in the centre of the village which affords views of the memorial from all bar the northern side. The raised location, accessed from the road by six steps, is said to mark the position of a tree around which the commemorated First World War servicemen had played as young children.

The c6m tall sandstone memorial comprises a cross with a foliate wheel-head. This is set on a square-sectioned shaft, rising from a square plinth. That stands on a three-stage octagonal base. The inscriptions on the plinth are carved, now in parts heavily eroded.

(west face) IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF GREAT HOUGHTON WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 –1919./ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945.

(north face) (6 NAMES)

(west face) (6 NAMES)

Around the base of the plinth is inscribed GREATER LOVE HATH NO/ [largely illegible MAN THAN THIS THAT/ A MAN LAY DOWN HIS/] LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

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, 17 January 2017.

History

Built at a cost of £150, Great Houghton War Memorial was unveiled on 3 October 1920 by General Lord Horne KCB. The names of two servicemen from the village who died during the Second World War were added at a later date.

Reasons for Listing

Great Houghton War Memorial, which stands on High Street facing the village church, 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;
* Design: a well-executed medieval-style cross;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed church of St Mary the Virgin.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677425

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

• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)