Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial cross, c4m tall, stands at the southern edge of the churchyard of the Church of St Michael (Grade I-listed) and in close proximity to a number of other listed structures. Overlooking The Green, it takes the form of a granite Celtic cross that can be seen through a gap in the wall. The front face of the cross is decorated with elaborate carvings in relief, including hemispherical bosses on the wheel-head and scrolling vines on the shaft. The shaft rises from a tapering pedestal on which is inscribed THE WOMEN’S/ THANKOFFERING 1918.

The pedestal stands on a three-stepped base of a different stone-type. The lower steps are let into the churchyard wall, with a small metal grill closing the gap. The top step of the base records the Second World War details, with 1939 – 1945 on the chamfered tread and ten names listed on the riser. An inscription on the riser of the middle step reads “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” with PAX on the riser of the bottom step.

Two stone plaques are let into the churchyard wall either side of the gap. To the left, the plaque reads 1914 – 1918/ (9 NAMES): to the right, 1914 – 1918/ (8 NAMES).

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, 27 July 2017.

History

Heighington War Memorial was dedicated by Archdeacon Derry at a ceremony held on 25 August 1920. It commemorates 17 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of ten men who died in that conflict were added.

Reasons for Listing

Heighington War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Michael, 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 in the Celtic style;
* Group value: with the Church of St Michael (Grade I) and numerous listed churchyard monuments.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477932

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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  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
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  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
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  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)