Summary

War memorial commemorating those from Thames Ditton who fell in the First and Second World Wars.

Description

War memorial, c1920.

MATERIALS: granite

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands in the north-east corner of Giggs Hill Green without a formal boundary. The base is octagonal on plan and mounted on three rough-hewn steps. It has a tall slightly battered plinth in smooth finished granite upon which are inscribed the 89 names of the fallen.

An inscription on the northern face reads: IN THANKFULNESS/ TO GOD/ AND TO THE/ IMMORTAL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN & WOMEN/ OF THE PARISH OF/ THAMES DITTON/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/FOR/ KING AND EMPIRE/IN THE GREAT WARS OF/ 1914.1918 – 1939.1945/ DEATH IS SWALLOWED/ UP IN VICTORY.

The top of the base translates to the central cross via a rough-hewn octagonal moulding. The two metre high shaft of the cross is again octagonal with rough-hewn panels, as is the cross member. The top and cross member are terminated with concave mouldings. A copper wreath with a large inset sword is fixed to the northern face of the shaft.

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, 5 December 2016.

History

The war memorial, in remembrance of those from the Thames Ditton area who fell in the First World War, was unveiled between 1920 and 1924. The names of the fallen were carved in to the eight faces of the octagonal base. The main inscription was updated after the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

The Thames Ditton War Memorial, c1920, by architects unknown, 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: unaltered grand scale design enlivened by copper sculpture and constructed of good quality materials.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677635

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

• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings