Summary

War memorial of 1921, designed by G E Sprague.

Description

War memorial of 1921, designed by G E Sprague.

MATERIALS: limestone ashlar and timber.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a timber Calvary with a carved depiction of Christ on a cross beneath a wooden and lead-clad weatherhood. It depicts Christ with his head raised to signify the soldiers' victory, rather than the bowed head that is more usually depicted. The shaft is set into a tall stone plinth which stands on a two-stepped base. The front (east) face of the plinth is inscribed: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY / OF THE MEN FROM THIS PARISH WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES FOR US IN THE GREAT WAR

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, 18 January 2017.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of war 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 at St Paul’s Church in Worcester. It was commissioned by the Reverend Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy, the vicar at St Paul’s, who became an army chaplain in 1914. He was later known as ‘Woodbine Willie’ as a result of him handing out cigarettes to soldiers in the trenches. He was awarded the Military Cross and went on to become the personal chaplain to King George V. The war memorial was funded by public subscription and was designed by G E Sprague, a Worcester sculptor. It was dedicated in 1921 and commemorates the 124 men of the parish who lost their lives during the First World War.

The memorial was conserved and repaired in 2009/10 and then re-dedicated.

Reasons for Listing

The war memorial in St Paul’s Churchyard, Worcester which was unveiled in 1921, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a well-crafted design, with a carved figure of Christ whose head is raised to signify the soldiers' victory rather than the bowed head that is more usually depicted.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477844

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

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  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
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  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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  Old House Care and Repair
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  For the Record
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  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)