Summary
First World War memorial cross, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The tall stone memorial stands in the churchyard to the north-west of the Church of St John the Baptist (listed Grade I) and in close proximity to a number of churchyard monuments listed at Grade II. It comprises a wheel-head cross set on a large rough-hewn plinth, on a square base. A sword is carved in relief on the north-west (front) face of the cross.
The main inscription, incised in a recessed panel on the front face of the plinth, reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF/ THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (33 NAMES)/ “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.”
A further recessed panel has been added to the south-east (rear) face of the plinth, to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Second World War. The incised inscription reads 1939-45/ (23 NAMES).
A small rectangular stone tablet at the foot of the plinth on the south-east side commemorates one member of the parish who died serving in Northern Ireland.
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 Pewsey as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 33 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 1 May 1921. The names of 23 parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Pewsey War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a monumental wheel-head cross in the Celtic style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St John the Baptist (listed Grade I) and churchyard monuments listed at Grade II.
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
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
[(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
[(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6