Summary
First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The grey granite war memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade II*-listed), close to the church’s south wall. It comprises a about 2m tall rough-hewn wheel-head cross standing on a tapering plinth. The plinth is raised on a granite step, square on plan, on a concrete foundation. The plinth bears the inscriptions in applied metal lettering. A small granite tablet recording the Second World War names was added at the foot of the memorial.
The principal dedicatory inscription to the west face of the plinth reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ MEMORY OF THOSE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THIS COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918. The seven commemorated First World War names are listed on the front face. The later inscription on the Second World War tablet reads 1939 - 1945/ (3 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 Postwick as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by seven members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The cross was unveiled on 4 September 1921 by Lt-Col Lord Dalmeny DSO MC. One of the commemorated men was Lord Dalmeny’s brother. Following the Second World War the names of three men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Postwick War Memorial Cross, 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 All Saints (Grade II*-listed).
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
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)