Summary
War memorial. Erected, following the First World War, in 1919. A further inscription was added after the Second World War.
Description
War memorial. Erected, following the First World War, in 1919. A further inscription was added after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Carved from granite.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is situated in the churchyard of the Church of St Michael, Swanton Abbott. It comprises a polished grey granite Latin cross on a slender tapered shaft surmounting a two-tiered plinth and square base. The cross is inscribed in leaded lettering IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE FALLEN. There are six names of those that died during the First World War inscribed on the shaft of the cross. The top of the plinth is inscribed ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS/ 1919. A further inscription was added near the foot of the shaft after the Second World War 1939-1945/ (NAMES). It includes the names of two residents of the parish that lost their lives.
History
The aftermath of the First World War saw a huge wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. One such memorial was erected in the churchyard of the Church of St Michael (Grade II*-listed, List Entry No 1049172), Swanton Abbott, in 1919 to commemorate six residents of the parish who died during the conflict. A further inscription was added to the memorial following the Second World War in honour of two residents that lost their lives.
Reasons for Listing
Swanton Abbott War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as a poignant reminder of the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made during the First and Second World Wars.
Group value:
* with the Grade II* -listed Church of St Michael.
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)
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living