Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 29 May 1920.
Description
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920.
DESCRIPTION: Eriswell War Memorial is located just outside the parish churchyard, to the south-east of the Church of St Lawrence (Grade II*-listed).
It is of grey granite and takes the form of a wheel-head cross with a tapering four-sided shaft. Carved in relief to the east face of the cross-head and upper part of the shaft is an inverted Sword of Sacrifice with trefoils to the pommel and ends of the cross-guard. The shaft rises from a rough-hewn, four-sided, tapering plinth surmounting a single-stepped base.
The dedication is in leaded lettering within a smooth, inset panel on the east face of the plinth and reads ERECTED/ BY THE PARISH OF ERISWELL/ IN MEMORY OF/ (8 NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR,/ 1914–1919.
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: The memorial stands within a square area of gravel bounded by stone kerbs. The area is enclosed by nine posts with chains between; there is an opening to the east side to allow access to the memorial.
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 Eriswell as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the eight members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on 29 May 1920 by Lieutenant-Colonel W E Guinness and dedicated by the rector, Reverend E W Cockell.
Reasons for Listing
Eriswell War Memorial, which is situated outside St Lawrence’s churchyard along The Street, 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 First World War.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed wheel-head cross memorial with a finely carved sword of sacrifice.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Lawrence.
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
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)