Summary
First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with later addition after the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, probably early 1920s, with later addition after the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is prominently sited within the village on Well Lane, adjacent to the east churchyard wall of the Church of St Clarus (Grade I). It comprises a rough-hewn, rectangular stone base surmounted by a square, tapering plinth and a tapering granite shaft rising to a wheel-head cross. This has a central stone boss and further bosses to the four compass points of the wheel. The front (east) face of the plinth carries the inscribed, in black lettering: ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS/ AS A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE/ TO THOSE WHO MADE THE/ SUPREME SACRIFICE DURING THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918./ WORLD WAR 1939-1945./ ALL HONOUR GIVE,/ TO THOSE WHO NOBLY DIED,/ THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. The south face lists the names of the Fallen from the First World War; the north is inscribed: 1939-1945/ (NAMES).
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the memorial stands within a small enclosure which is bounded on three sides by dwarf walls of slatestone rubble and chamfered coping which are surmounted by decorative iron railings. The churchyard wall (Grade II) forms the rear (west) boundary to the enclosure.
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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 erected at St Cleer, most probably in the early 1920s, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 24 men from the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. A further dedication was added after the Second World War to those who died during this conflict.
Reasons for Listing
St Cleer War Memorial 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:
* as a well-executed commemorative structure which displays crisp carving.
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
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)