Summary
A war memorial of approximate 1920 date constructed of stone and incorporating a figure of a uniformed serviceman.
Description
A war memorial dating to about 1920.
MATERIALS: constructed of stone.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is located on Church Road opposite the Church of St Phillip and comprises a figure of a uniformed serviceman holding his rifle at the ready on a rusticated stone pedestal. The pedestal sits on a two stepped base within an area of green.
INSCRIPTION: on each face of the plinth is an inset panel with the dedication: THIS STATUE IS ERECTED/AS A LASTING TRIBUTE/TO THE MEN OF/PENN FIELDS, BRADMORE/AND MERRY HILL/WHO SERVED/IN HIS MAJESTYS FORCES/DURING THE GREAT WAR/1914-1919/THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE/ARE ENGRAVED HEREON/1914-1919 and names incised. On the base is written ERECTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.
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.
One such memorial was raised at Penn Fields as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of Penn Fields, Bradmore and Merry Hill, who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 39 local servicemen who died during the First World War.
Reasons for Listing
Penn Fields, Bradmore and Merry Hill War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* As an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which includes a well-executed figure of a serviceman in uniform.
Historic interest:
* As an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of the First World War on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflict.
Group value:
* With the Grade II-listed Church of St Philip.
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
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)