Summary
First World War memorial. 1920 by the local architect, Vincent Hooper. Names of the fallen from the Second World War subsequently added.
Description
First World War memorial. 1920 by the local architect, Vincent Hooper. Names of the fallen from the Second World War subsequently added.
MATERIALS: Portland stone. Bronze laurel wreath.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located on the east side of Church Road opposite the entrance to the Church of St Luke. It consists of a tapered Latin cross set on a tall multi-stage plinth. The top stage of the plinth is square with carved scrolls. Below this is an octagonal stage with a moulded lower section and bearing the Latin inscription DEUS VULT (’God wills it’) on the rear face. The bottom of the plinth consists of two square stone blocks on a three tier base. The front face of lower block bears a bronze laurel wreath above the inscription THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. Above it on the upper block is the inscription DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO DIED IN WAR/ 1914-1918. The 21 names of the fallen of the First World War, with their rank, are inscribed on the other three faces of the upper block and the 28 names of the fallen of the Second World War, with the date 1939-1945, on the lower block.
The memorial is surrounded by stone paving with steps to the front descending to the road.
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.
The war memorial at South Park, Reigate was unveiled on 14 November 1920 by Brigadier General G K Cockerill, CB to the designs of local architect, Vincent Hooper (1879-1935). The names of the fallen from the Second World War were subsequently added.
Reasons for Listing
South Park War Memorial, Reigate, erected in 1920 to a design by Vincent Hooper, 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:
* as a well-executed, architect designed, example of one of the most popular forms of First World War 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
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey