Summary
First World War Memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
Tall stone pillar, topped by a cross, standing atop a plinth. The front face bears the inscription REMEMBER YE WITH / THANKSGIVING AND / ALL HONOUR THOSE / FROM THIS PARISH WHO / GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR / KING AND COUNTRY IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 -1918, with the names of the Fallen inscribed on the other three faces. This stands on a three-step base, the upper-most step of which is inscribed REMEMBER ALSO WITH GRATITUDE / THOSE WHO FELL IN THE WORLD WAR / 1939 - 1945, with names on two of the other faces.
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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised in Middleton-in Chirbury as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. It was erected at some point after 1918; additional inscriptions were added at some point after the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Middleton-in-Chirbury 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 the local community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: as a dignified and imposing stone cross war memorial;
* Group value: with the adjacent Grade-II listed Holy Trinity Church.
External Links
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
County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey