Summary

First World War memorial cross, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial stands in a prominent position at a road junction, close to 31 and 32 Chapel Lane (Grade II- listed). It comprises a plain wheel-head cross with a tapering shaft, standing on a tapering plinth and single-stepped base. The memorial is carved from grey Cornish granite and stands approximately 2.7m tall.

The main inscription in raised leaded lettering on the front face of the plinth reads IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914–1918/ (15 NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.

A further inscription in leaded lettering within a smooth recessed area to the east face of the plinth reads ALSO OF THOSE/ WHO FELL IN THE/ SECOND GREAT WAR/ 1939–1945/ (3 NAMES).

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 Belstead as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 15 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled in November 1920 by Major Eustace Quilter. The names of three local servicemen who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

Belstead War Memorial, which stands at the junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, 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 granite war memorial cross in the Celtic style.

Group value:

* with 31 and 32 Chapel Lane (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479264

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

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)