Summary

First World War memorial in the form of a shelter, unveiled in 1921.

Description

EXTERIOR: the memorial takes the form of an open shelter or shrine of half-timbered construction with panels of red bricks in basketweave and herringbone patterns. Situated on a three-stepped stone base, the memorial is in a Tudoresque style with a tiled roof. The two side walls and the open front are protected with iron grills fixed to the main timber uprights, that to the front in the form of a double gate.

On the front gable hangs a timber cross and above the entrance gates is inscribed THE WELL OF SACRIFICE in red painted Celtic-style lettering. On the rear elevation is a stone trough forming part of the stone base.

INTERIOR: an integral timber seat is located in the interior and a timber panel inscribed with the roll of honour of both wars in gold lettering hangs on the back wall. A small brass tablet to the bottom left of the wooden panel records the Well of Sacrifice and its rededication date.

A dedication spanning the four sides of the shrine is inscribed A WELL OF/ WATER/ SPRINGING UP UNTO/ ETERNAL LIFE in red and gold painted Celtic-style letters.

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, 6 December 2016.

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was erected on the village green at Nomansland to commemorate ten local men who died in the conflict and a further 52 who served and returned.

The Revd H M Livens, chair of Nomansland Parish Council, ensured that the war memorial was constructed. Reuben Moody of Landford was the builder and the memorial was unveiled on 11 April 1921. The memorial was apparently situated over an existing well although this is not marked on historic Ordnance Survey maps.

Following the Second World War, the names of those six who lost their lives in that war and a further 50 who served and returned were also added.

The memorial was rededicated 14 November 1999 following refurbishment.

Reasons for Listing

Nomansland 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 this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a shelter type of war memorial in Tudoresque style with high quality timber construction and decorative brickwork;
* Internal decoration: a generously decorated interior, with inscriptions in Celtic-style lettering, and integral seat.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677735

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

• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)