Summary
First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions. The concrete block wall that bounds the semi-circular enclosure within which the memorial stands is excluded from the listing.
Description
First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions.
MATERIALS: it is of rock-faced Cornish granite.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands in a semi-circular shaped enclosure on the south side of The Green, directly in front of Long Whatton Church of England Primary School (1847). It comprises a two-stepped base, a trapezoidal plinth and a tall shaft which tapers in rectangular section to Celtic wheel-head cross. Its north face is embellished with a relief carving of the Sword of Sacrifice. Fixed and leaning against the base is a Second World War memorial tablet, also of Cornish granite.
The First World War inscription is in leaded lettering on the plinth's polished north face and reads: 'FOR KING AND COUNTRY / IN HONOUR AND GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF THE MEN OF LONG WHATTON / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE / GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918 / [Names] / LEST WE FORGET'. Immediately below it is the Second World War dedication which reads '1939 - 1945 / [NAMES] / IN MEMORIAM'.
The concrete block wall that bounds the semi-circular enclosure within which the memorial stands is excluded from the listing.
This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 27 February 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 raised in Long Whatton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by six local servicemen. It was unveiled on 24 February 1921 by the Right Honourable Lord Crawshaw, and dedicated by the Rural Dean, Reverend WA King of Woodhouse. The memorial took the form of a Cornish cross and a was purchased from Messrs G Maile and Sons of London. It was erected by local masons, Messrs Hobbs and Sons of Long Whatton.
Following the Second World War a memorial tablet was added to commemorate the eight servicemen who died during this conflict.
In 1990 the memorial was repaired after being vandalised.
Reasons for Listing
Long Whatton War Memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1921, with Second World War additions, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* As an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* As an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form of a Celtic wheel-head cross atop a trapezoidal plinth.
Group value:
* With the neighbouring Church of All Saints (listed Grade II*), 81 Main Street (listed Grade II), and Manor Farmhouse and outbuildings (listed Grade II).
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
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)