Summary

War memorial, unveiled in 1921.

Description

War Memorial, erected 1921.

DESCRIPTION: it is situated on a slightly elevated circular mound and is approached by four stone steps on its north side, although a postcard from c1925 shows the steps were originally on the west side. The memorial takes the form of a monolith of roughly-hewn Cornish granite which stands on a raised base which is also roughly-hewn. Bronze plaques on the memorial's west and south faces each carry a dedication, in relief lettering: TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD/ 1914-1918/ NAMES. A further plaque, also of bronze, reads: TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD/ 1939-1945/ NAMES.

Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act') it is declared that the later C20 chain and link fence and wooden posts which encircle the war memorial are not of special architectural or historic interest and are not included in the listing.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 23/10/2015

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. One such memorial was erected in Wellington Park in 1921. The park was laid out in 1902 on land provided by Messrs Fox Bros, a local cloth manufacturing company, who also donated a further 5 acres to the south-west for a recreation ground as a thanks offering for peace after the First World War. The war memorial was unveiled on 17 June 1921 by Mr F Hugh Fox, and commemorates the 178 local men who died during the conflict. After the Second World War a second dedicatory inscription was added in memory of the 51 local men who lost their lives during the war; two of the names are later additions to the plaque.

Reasons for Listing

Wellington 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;
* Design: a modest yet well-executed memorial;
* Group value: it stands within Wellington Park which is registered at Grade II*.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677559

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

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  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
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  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings