Summary
First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1920, with additions for later conflict.
Description
The memorial stands at the roadside, c30m to the south-east of the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed) and in close proximity to a number of churchyard monuments and the churchyard gates and gate piers (all Grade II-listed). It takes the form of a tall granite wheel-head cross, standing on a tapering plinth raised on a square base. The front face of the cross-head and shaft are ornamented with carved interlace patterns, including an elaborate knot-work pattern to the front of the splayed cross shaft foot.
A cast bronze plaque fixed to the front face of the plinth carries the principal dedicatory inscription, reading TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ GRATEFUL AND AFFECTIONATE/ MEMORY/ OF/ (20 NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ “LEST WE FORGET”. A smaller bronze plaque fixed to the front face of the base reads THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE 1939-45 WAR/ (4 NAMES) with, to the left of this plaque, a small metal tablet reading (NAME)/ MALAYA 1956.
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 Hemyock as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 20 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The cross, provided by Mr A Easton of Exeter, was part of a memorial scheme including the recreation ground. It was unveiled on 24 October 1920 by Mr E Lutley JP at a well-attended ecumenical service. A dedication to four men who died in the Second World War was added to the memorial, as was the name of one man who died during the Malayan Emergency.
Reasons for Listing
Hemyock War Memorial, which stands on Culmstock Road, 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 richly ornamented and imposing war memorial cross in granite, in the Celtic style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade II*), numerous Grade II-listed churchyard structures, and the Grade II-listed Village Pump.
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
Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]