Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled in June 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial takes the form of a tapering, octagonal stone cross, on a tall octagonal plinth, set on three octagonal steps forming the base. On the front face is a wreath and sword of sacrifice.

The front is inscribed: TO THE GLORY/ OF GOD AND IN/ MEMORY OF THE/ MEN/ OF/ PEASLAKE/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES FOR THEIR/ COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1918/ THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE/ followed by the names of the seventeen men who fell during the First World War. An additional inscription on the rear commemorates the names of twelve who lost their lives in the Second World War, 1939-1945.

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, 5 June 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 also 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 Peaslake, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled in June 1921, attended by Sir Reginald Bray.

Reasons for Listing

Peaslake War Memorial, which stands at the centre of the village, 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: as a simple, elegant, memorial which is stylistically redolent of the period.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478675

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)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)