Summary
A war memorial cross of 1920 constructed of Cornish granite.
Description
A war memorial of 1920 date.
MATERIALS: constructed of Cornish granite.
DESCRIPTION: a granite wheel cross on top of a square shaft. The shaft rises from a tapering plinth and three-stepped square base. The front face of the plinth is inscribed: THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY THE/ PARISHIONERS OF ST KEA, IN GRATEFUL/ AND LOVING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO/ LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR GOD, KING/ AND COUNTRY. 1914-1918./ NAMES. The front face of the step below is inscribed “LEST WE FORGET”, and the upper face is inscribed 1939-1945/ NAME. The front and rear faces of the wheel cross have carved Celtic-style motifs.
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 St Kea as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War.
It commemorates nine local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate one of the fallen of that conflict.
St Kea War Memorial was erected in March 1920 and unveiled by Colonel Sir Courtnay Vyvyan.
Reasons for Listing
St Kea War Memorial 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 in Cornish granite, which takes the simple form of a Celtic wheel-head cross.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of All Hallows and the Grade II-listed monuments and lych gate in the churchyard.
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
London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)