Summary

First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with later inscription after the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with later inscription after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: of dressed granite.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is situated within the churchyard of the church of St Mary the Virgin. It is in the form of a Latin cross with a stone sword in relief to the shaft. It stands on a square plinth with broach stops, which in turn rests on an octagonal three-stepped base. A lead plaque to the front (south) face of the plinth is inscribed: IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF/ KINGSTON/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919. The plaques on the other sides of the plinth record the names of the Fallen. The upper step of the base has a further plaque which is inscribed: AND/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939-1945/ NAMES.

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 after the war in Kingston St Mary to commemorate the thirty five men who lost their lives during this conflict. A further plaque was added after the Second World War in memory of the eight men who died.

Reasons for Listing

Kingston St Mary 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, but good example of a memorial in the form of a Latin cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I listed Church of St Mary the Virgin and with a number of Grade II listed funerary monuments.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677741

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.

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