Summary

First World War memorial, 1934, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1934.

MATERIALS: stone, with bronze plaques.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is comprised of a cross on a tapering shaft, mounted on a square plinth with a three stepped octagonal base.

The plinth bears the following inscription: IN MEMORIAM/ 1914-1919/ 1939-1945.

Bronze plaques are attached on each side of the plinth, the first of which reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE WHO DIED IN/ THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. This is followed by the names of seventeen men who perished.

The second bronze plaque reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE WHO DIED IN/ THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945, followed by the names of another eleven men who perished, closing with AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The memorial is surrounded by an octagonal enclosure of thirteen bollards, connected by a spiked chain.

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, 21 February 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 the country, 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 Dunsfold 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 memorial was unveiled in 1934, and commemorates the men of the parish who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, the memorial was updated to commemorate those who lost their lives in this conflict.

It is noted that the two bronze plaques were added in 1996, listing the names of those who died in both conflicts. There were no names listed prior to this installation. One of the names commemorated here is that of Leslie George Bull, who took part in the “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III in 1944, and was subsequently recaptured and executed by the Gestapo.

Reasons for Listing

Dunsfold War Memorial, which is situated at the junction of Dunsfold Common Road and Alfold Road, 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;
* Design: as a simple yet poignant memorial cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478311

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

• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)