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Latitude: 51.377 / 51°22'37"N
Longitude: -1.603 / 1°36'10"W
OS Eastings: 427728
OS Northings: 164296
OS Grid: SU277642
Mapcode National: GBR 5Z4.PJL
Mapcode Global: VHC1Y.5NF6
Plus Code: 9C3W99GW+RR
Entry Name: Great Bedwyn War Memorial
Listing Date: 15 September 2016
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1437957
ID on this website: 101437957
Location: St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, SN8
County: Wiltshire
Civil Parish: Great Bedwyn
Built-Up Area: Great Bedwyn
Traditional County: Wiltshire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Wiltshire
Tagged with: War memorial
First World War memorial, dating from c.1920, with the addition of the names of the fallen of the Second World War after 1945.
A First World War memorial, dating from c.1920, altered by the addition of the names of the fallen of the Second World War after 1945.
MATERIALS: the memorial is constructed from stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of an ornate carved cross atop a tall, tapering shaft. The shaft has a carved stone with a serpent entwined around it, and stands on a hexagonal plinth. The plinth has carved decoration and bears the inscription, "THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918".
To the rear of the cross is a three-sided wall with moulded cappings and piers at each end. The central panel of the wall is inscribed, "FORGET NOT/ THE TRUE MEN WHO WENT/ FORTH FROM THIS PLACE TO FIGHT/ FOR GOD AND THE RIGHT AND/ WHO RETURNED NOT AGAIN./ THEIR NAMES ARE HERE/ INSCRIBED TO BE HONOURED/ FOR EVERMORE. The panels to either side bear the names of the fallen.
The monument stands on a stepped base. At the front, a stone has been added with the dates 1939 and 1945, and the names of the fallen of the Second World War.
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, 16 December 2016.
The memorial was erected after the First World War, as part of the great wave of commemoration of the sacrifice made by the fallen from communities across the country. It was set up in a prominent position in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I). After the Second World War, the names of the men of the parish who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Great Bedwyn War Memorial, dating from c1920, 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 well-executed stone memorial, with good carving;
* Group value: with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I).
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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