Summary

First World War memorial cross and enclosure, unveiled 1919, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial stands in a paved area to the south side of Main Street, to the east of Churchgate House (Grade II) and the Church of St Michael (Grade I) and numerous listed churchyard monuments. It takes the form of a small Latin cross in granite, raised on a small pedestal. The pedestal stands on a broad granite plinth. The plinth stands on a large block of coursed rubble walling with a chamfered top.

The Second World War dedication to the front face of the pedestal reads: 1939 – 1934/ (4 NAMES), whilst the First World War dedication on the plinth below reads: IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN, 1914 - 1919/ (10 NAMES). All the texts are in applied metal letters.

The paved area is enclosed by a low stone wall, with an opening flanked by low piers to the front, facing onto the street

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 1 September 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 Blackawton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. In the Spring of 1919 the Parish Council invited suggestions for the form the memorial should take. The memorial was unveiled later that year in commemoration of 10 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War, a further four names of men who died in that conflict were added.

Reasons for Listing

Blackawton War Memorial, which stands on Main Street, 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:

* A simple yet poignant war memorial at the heart of the village, incorporating space for the performance of acts of remembrance.

Group value:
* With Churchgate House (Grade II) and the Church of St Michael (Grade I) and numerous listed churchyard monuments.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478873

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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