Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: the tall stone memorial stands in a prominent position in the centre of the village at the north-west corner of the village green, which is surrounded by numerous Grade II listed buildings including nine pairs of C19 estate cottages and other C18 and C19 houses, the school and school house, a K6 telephone kiosk and the Golden Swan public house. It comprises a pierced equal-armed cross patonce rising from the moulded collar of a tapering octagonal shaft. The cross shaft stands on a small square plinth and two-stepped base.
The memorial is within a square enclosed area surrounded by iron railings, with a gate on the north-west side.
INSCRIPTION: the dates 1914 – 1919 are inscribed to the front face of the plinth, with to the rear OUR GLORIOUS DEAD. Commemorated First World War names are listed on the remaining two sides of the plinth, with Second World War names on the upper step of the base.
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 Wilcot as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by eight members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The names of seven parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Wilcot War Memorial, railings and gate, standing at the north-west corner of The Green, 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 simple yet poignant war memorial cross.
Group value:
* with numerous Grade II listed buildings surrounding The Green.
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
Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)