Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 10 January 1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: Euston War Memorial is located on the village green at the centre of the village.

It takes the form of a tall, stone Celtic cross; it has an angular wheel-head with interlaced knot work designs carved in relief to the west face of the cross arms. This surmounts a tapering four-sided shaft, which rises from a tapering, square plinth. The whole stands on a three-stepped, square base. The dedications and names are in leaded lettering to the plinth and base.

The main dedication is to an inset panel on the west face of the plinth and reads IN GLORIOUS/ AND NEVER-FADING MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO SO BRAVELY FOUGHT AND FELL/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919./ (10 NAMES).

Directly below, to the west face of the upper-step of the base is the Second World War dedication 1939-1945/ (2 NAMES).

The memorial is enclosed by a circular stretch of metal fencing*.

* Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.

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 Euston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 10 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on 10 January 1920 by the Duke of Grafton and dedicated by the rector, Reverend V C A Fitzhugh.

Following the Second World War, the names of the two parishioners who died during that conflict were subsequently added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

Euston War Memorial, which is situated on the village green, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* a well-executed Celtic wheel-head cross memorial, demonstrating fine craftsmanship in the carved interlaced knot work designs.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479446

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

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  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
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  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
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  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
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  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
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  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)