Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled on 24 October 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Hartest War Memorial is located at the western edge of the village green. It is in close proximity to various Grade II-listed buildings which surround the green.
It is of Portland stone and takes the form of an obelisk rising from a four-sided, rough-hewn, tapering plinth surmounting a three-stepped, square base. On the west face of the obelisk is a laurel wreath above a blank scroll carved in relief. Above the wreath, and wrapping around the faces of the obelisk, is a band of carved laurel leaves. The inscriptions and names are in incised lettering, painted black, to smooth, arched stone panels inset into the plinth.
The main inscription is on the west face of the plinth and reads IN/ MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF/ HARTEST./ WHO FELL IN THE WAR/ 1914–1919./ FOR KING AND COUNTRY. The names of 14 men who died in the conflict are recorded on the north and south faces of the plinth, with one further name recorded to the bottom of the east face.
Also to the east face is the Second World War dedication 1939 – 1946/ (2 NAMES).
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: The memorial is enclosed by eight stone posts joined by chains.
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 Hartest 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 was unveiled on 24 October 1920 by Captain E W H Backhouse of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars and dedicated by the rector, Reverend H C Wisdom. The memorial was erected by Messrs S B Peagrum, builder, and cost approximately £72, which was met by public subscription. It commemorates the 15 servicemen who died in the First World War.
The names of two parishioners who fought in the Second World War were added to the memorial at some stage after 1990. One of those named was killed during the conflict while the other died afterward, probably in 1946, thus the dates inscribed on the memorial above these names is 1939-1946.
Reasons for Listing
Hartest 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 this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed obelisk memorial.
Group value:
* with the Grade II-listed buildings surrounding the green.
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
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets