Summary
A First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS: granite cross with lead lettering.
DESCRIPTION: Longcot War Memorial is located in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Longcot.
It consists of a small rusticated granite wheel-headed cross on a tapering plinth. The front face of the shaft has a reversed sword carved in relief on it.
The inscription is located at the base of the shaft and on the front face of the plinth. The shaft reads TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND, it continues on the plinth IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”. On the rear of the plinth is a bronze plaque with raised lettering 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).
The memorial stands on a single-stepped 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 Longcot, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial was unveiled on 5 December 1920 by Lt Col Pimm. It was paid for by public subscription and commemorated 11 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the four fallen of that conflict.
In 2003 a name was added to the war memorial with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.
Reasons for Listing
Longcot War Memorial, erected in 1920 and moved to its current location in 1970, 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:
* a simple but enduring monument, which is redolent of its inter-war date.
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
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
[(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living