Summary

First World War memorial.

Description

First World War memorial.

MATERIALS: rough-hewn granite with metal lettering.

DESCRIPTION: the two-tiered square plinth is topped by an obelisk. The S face of the plinth bears the names of the Fallen integrated within a dedication in raised lettering that reads IN GRATEFUL AND/ HONOURED REMEMBRANCE/ OF THOSE FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING AND EMPIRE IN THE/ GREAT WAR, 1914-1918./ (NAMES)/ THEY WERE A WALL UNTO US BOTH BY/ NIGHT AND DAY. 1SAMUEL XXV.16. The memorial is surrounded by a square enclosure of low tubular railings attached to eight small obelisk-shaped granite posts.

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, 25 July 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 England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, 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 Harbertonford 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 war memorial was erected to commemorate the members of the parish who died during the First World War. It was unveiled and dedicated at an open-air service on Friday 1 July 1921.

Reasons for Listing

Harbertonford 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 local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: it has a simple, yet elegant obelisk design, including an effective use of granite stone;
* Group value: with the Church of St Peter (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478664

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

• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)