Summary

First World War memorial, 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The sandstone memorial stands in the churchyard of the church of St Ebba (Grade II*). It takes the form of St Cuthbert’s cross. The cross head is highly ornamented and the front face of the top of the cross shaft is decorated with a carving of St George, mounted, slaying the dragon and encircled by a wreath. Below this the principal dedicatory inscription reads 1914-1918/ TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND TO THE/ HONOURED MEMORY/ OF THE FOLLOWING/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR GOD/ HOME AND COUNTRY. Underneath is a small carving of the St Cuthbert cross followed by “GREATER LOVE/ HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS.”

Reverend Gibson’s coat of arms is carved in relief on the rear face of the cross shaft, presented on a Star of David and wreathed about with a motto. The cross shaft rises from a tapered plinth, square on plan, that stands on a low step. Names are recorded on the front face of the plinth with “THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HANDS OF GOD” carved into the front face of the step below. To the rear of the plinth is inscribed LEST WE FORGET and 1921 JOHN GEORGE GIBSON/ RECTOR FROM 1885. The three Second World War names are carved into one side of the plinth.

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, 7 February 2017.

History

Ebchester War Memorial was unveiled by Mr F Priestman JP on 17 January 1922, and dedicated by the Rector, Reverend TG Gibson. The memorial commemorates 9 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Reverend Gibson designed the memorial and it was sculpted by Mr HS Turner of Gateshead. The three names of those who fell in the Second World War were not added until 1996, when the memorial was re-dedicated.

Reasons for Listing

Ebchester War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the church of St Ebba, 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 local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a richly ornamented memorial cross;
* Group value: with the church of St Ebba (Grade II*) and a number of listed structures in the churchyard.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26678168

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

• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)