Summary
First World War memorial, with Second World War additions.
Description
The grey granite war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Lawrence (Grade II*-listed). It comprises a tall wheel-head cross standing on a tall pedestal, with a three-stepped base of another material beneath. The front face of the memorial is polished; the sides are left rough-hewn. The cross is enclosed by eight low pyramidal granite posts that stand on a kerb. The posts are connected by two rows of barley twist iron rails. The pedestal and its foot bear the inscriptions in incised lettering.
The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the pedestal reads TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919/ (21 NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945. The nine Second World War names are listed on the front face of the pedestal foot.
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 Tilney St Lawrence as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 21 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Following the Second World War, the names of nine servicemen who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Tilney St Lawrence 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 war memorial cross, in the Celtic style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Lawrence (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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas