Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 3 September 1921.

Description

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial at St Stephen’s Church comprises a hooded Calvary cross with a carved figure of Christ. The tapered shaft has a collar and is set upon an octagonal plinth which is inscribed: 1914 – 1918.

This is set upon a three-stepped base. The top step is inscribed: FORGET NOT ON ENTERING/ THIS CHURCH THOSE WHO/ LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY. The middle step is inscribed: REQUIESCANT IN PACE THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVETH THE VICTORY.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 2017.

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 St Stephen’s Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The cross was unveiled on 3 September 1921 by Lieut-Col Eric Ball. The service was led by the Rev H Baron Dickinson and the dedication was given by the Bishop of Woolwich.

Reasons for Listing

St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, unveiled 3 September 1921, 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 well-executed Portland stone Calvary cross;
* Group value: with the Church of St Stephen (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477858

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

• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)