Summary

First World War memorial in the form of a marble cross on a plinth.

Description

Tall marble cross, the front face of which features a reverse sword carved in relief, with a laurel wreath around the hilt; below the sword tip is the inscription 1914 / -- / 1919. The cross stands atop a platform on a plinth (both marble), both of which bear inscriptions. The front face of the platform section reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD; the front of the plinth reads AND IN MEMORY OF / (NAMES), with the back face bearing more names. This stands atop a two-stepped base, the top section considerably bigger; the front face of this bears the inscription WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR / THAT WE MIGHT LIVE / "OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH." / "JESU MERCY." The whole structure is surrounded by dwarf pillars linked by chains.

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, 6 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 in Erith at Christ Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Reasons for Listing

Erith (Christ Church) 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;
* Design: as a dignified and imposing marble cross war memorial;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Christ Church.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478703

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

• 
  For the Record
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)