Summary

First and Second World War memorial in the form of a stone pillar on a pedestal.

Description

A tall pillar made of Portland stone resting on a plinth which in turn rests on a stone base. The top of the pillar features decorated carvings of a cross between spiral elements. The front face bears the inscription: TO THE / MEMORY / OF THE MEN / OF UPPER / NORWOOD / WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1918 / --- / ALSO / COMMEMORATING / ALL THOSE / WHO DIED IN THE / 1939 - 1945 / WAR. Below this, on the plinth, is the inscription: AS A LASTING MEMORIAL / AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE NORWOOD / COTTAGE HOSPITAL WAS PROVIDED / AND THIS MONUMENT ERECTED. Below this in lower case italic is the (badly eroded) inscription: For their country they died / in [illegible] memory they live.

History

The aftermath of the World Wars saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. One such memorial was raised in Upper Norwood as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. It was designed by W B Fagan and unveiled on 29 April 1922 in a ceremony attended by Lord Mayor of London Sir William Treloar, 1st Baronet and Canon W B Taylor. An inscription was added after the Second World War for those who fell in that conflict.

Reasons for Listing

The War Memorial at Westow Street, Upper Norwood 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 sacrifices they made in the First and Second World Wars;
* Architectural Interest: a well executed and imposing Portland stone pillar war memorial;
* Group value: with the Church of St Andrew (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478492

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

• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version