Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 15 July 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial cross, unveiled 15 July 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

The war memorial is made of Westhaven granite and takes the form of a Celtic cross on a square tapering shaft, upon a tall, tapering square-based plinth. The cross head is inscribed TO / OUR GLORIOUS DEAD / 1914-1919 1939-1945.

The plinth is inscribed in black lettering with the names of twenty-four local servicemen who lost their lives in the First World War. Additional names were inscribed on the shaft after the Second World War.

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 Eynsford, 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 on 15 July 1920 by Sir William Hart Dyke.

Reasons for Listing

Eynsford War Memorial, which stands in 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, enduring memorial in the form of a granite Celtic cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478680

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.

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