Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

South Warnborough War Memorial stands on a green area off Alton Road in the village centre. It consists of a stone Latin cross on a tapering octagonal shaft with a carved collar set upon a square two-tiered plinth. The plinth is set upon a stone base with decorative flint panels.

The inscription is incised into the plinth and reads: A.D. 1914 – 1918/ IN MEMORY OF/ OUR GLORIOUS DEAD. The dates 1939 – 1945 were added later. The names of the fallen are inscribed on the base.

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 South Warnborough in 1920 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. It commemorates 15 local servicemen who died during the First World War. 

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the two fallen of that conflict. 

In 1999 the memorial was conserved and in 2012 the access was improved. Both of these projects were undertaken with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

South Warnborough  War Memorial 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 simple yet striking Latin cross with fine lettering and decorative base.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q55625369

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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  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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