Summary
Portland stone First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The Portland stone war memorial is located on Cole Green at the junctions of the B1454, Docking Road, and Fring Road. It comprises a tall needle, square on plan, standing on a deep, wide, two-stage base, square on plan, bearing the incised inscriptions.
The principal dedicatory inscription, to the west face of the lower stage of the base, reads ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF SEDGEFORD/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ THROUGH DEATH TO VICTORY. Inscribed on the other faces of that stage, the inscription continues FOR KING & COUNTRY // THEIR NAME LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE. On the fourth face the later dedication reads 1939 - 1945/ OUR GLORIOUS DEAD/ (6 NAMES).
The commemorated First World War names are listed on the faces of the upper stage of the base, recorded with rank and regiment, corps, or service.
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 Sedgeford as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Sedgeford War Memorial Committee, chaired by Mr Holcombe Ingleby of Sedgeford Hall, outlined proposals for a war memorial at a meeting in October 1919. The decision on a suitable site would be left to a public vote. The memorial commemorates 23 local servicemen who died in the First World War. The names of six men who died in the Second World War were added to the memorial at a later date.
Reasons for Listing
Sedgeford War Memorial, which stands on Cole 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 the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a simple yet striking Portland stone memorial.
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
Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)