Summary

First World War granite memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The granite war memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary Magdalene (Grade I-listed). It is prominently situated by the churchyard path near to the church porch. The memorial comprises a wheel-head cross standing on a tapering plinth with a single-stepped base. The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the plinth reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS/ PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING/ AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (7 NAMES).

The Second World War names were recorded on a granite slab placed at the foot of the memorial, the inscription reading THIS STONE COMMEMORATES THOSE OF/ THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ 1939-1945 WAR/ (3 NAMES). The memorial is enclosed by a low granite kerb.

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 Pentney as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of seven local community who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of three men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

Pentney War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, 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 simple yet poignant granite wheel-head cross, in the Celtic style.

Group value:

* with the Church of St Mary Magdalene (Grade I-listed).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479594

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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  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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