Summary

First World War memorial of 1921, with later additions.

Description

First World War memorial of 1921, with later additions.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands in a prominent location beside the church of St James in the main village square. It comprises a stone floriated Maltese cross surmounting a tall, circular tapered column set on a circular plinth. This is set upon a circular five-stepped base.

The inscription on the plinth reads: 1914-1918/ 1939-1945.

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 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 raised at Shere as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in this conflict. Although it was not inscribed with the names of the fallen, a bronze plaque bearing 33 names is present on the inner northern wall of the church.

The memorial was unveiled in 1921. Following the Second World War, an additional inscription was added to the memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives in that war.

The setting and paving around the memorial was restored and extended by the parish council in 2009.

Reasons for Listing

Shere 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;
* Design: as an elegant and well-carved stone floriated Maltese cross;
* Group value: with the church of St James listed at Grade I, the church lychgate listed at Grade II and several Grade II-listed houses around the square.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677854

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

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)