Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, about 1920, with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Townshend Methodist Church opposite the Grade II-listed Schoolroom to the Methodist Church in Townshend.
The granite wheel-head cross with central boss rises from a tapering shaft set upon a square plinth and a two-stepped base.
At the base of the cross inscribed in black letters is the inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN LOVING MEMORY/ OF TOWNSHEND LADS/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. Below on the plinth are the names followed by a further inscription THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
Underneath, the top step of the base is sloping and carries the inscription GREAT WAR 1939 – 1945 followed by names.
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 Townshend as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The names of those who died in the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Townshend War Memorial, which is prominently sited outside the Townshend Methodist Church, 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 sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* an elegant design of a granite wheel-head cross with central boss.
Group value:
* with both the Grade II-listed Townshend Methodist Church and Schoolroom to the Methodist Church.
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
Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)