Summary
First World War memorial cross.
Description
The stone memorial cross is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade I-listed). It is prominently situated by the path leading to the church. The memorial comprises a substantial canopied Calvary. The cross shaft, octagonal in section, has a deep, moulded foot standing on a pedestal. The foot of the cross includes a foliage design carved in low relief within a blind arch to the front face. The pedestal is cruciform on plan, standing on a two-stepped octagonal base.
The pedestal carries the inscriptions, in incised lettering. The principal dedication reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF/ SHELTON AND HARDWICK/ WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. The commemorated names are listed on two faces of the pedestal, with THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR/ EVERMORE to the fourth face.
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 Shelton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 16 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Seven men were from Shelton, and nine from Hardwick, the neighbouring village in the parish.
Reasons for Listing
Shelton and Hardwick War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, Shelton, 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 sacrifices it made in the First World War.
Architectural interest:
* a striking war memorial Calvary cross;
* unusually, the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains its original design intent.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade I).
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.
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