Summary
First World War memorial of 1920; railings of 1923; and later inscription added after the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial of 1920; railings of 1923; and later inscription added after the Second World War.
MATERIAL: Cornish granite.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands on a triangular lawned area at the junction of Back Street and Roger’s Lane. It comprises a two-stepped, low square base, a roughly-carved plinth and a tapering shaft and Latin cross. The north face of the plinth bears the inscription TO THE GALLANT MEMORY/ OF THOSE FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (NAMES). Below this, a rectangular, granite plaque has been added to the base which is inscribed: 1938-1945/ (NAMES).
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the lawned area on which the war memorial stands is enclosed by metal railings with a pedestrian gate along the north-east side; they were added in 1923.
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, 11 January 2018.
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 erected at East Garston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by servicemen from the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled and dedicated on 5 December 1920. Iron railings were erected around the memorial in 1923. Further dedications to those who lost their lives during the Second World War were added to the memorial in 1948.
Reasons for Listing
East Garston War Memorial which was unveiled in 1920 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:
* its simple design, in the form of a Latin cross, is fitting for its purpose as a memorial structure.
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
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)