Summary
First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Cornish granite.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in the churchyard to the south of the Church of St Margaret (Grade II*).
The memorial comprises a Latin cross on a tapering plinth with a single-stepped base. At the centre of the cross is a relief-carved Christogram ‘IHS’. The memorial is carved from Cornish granite and stands approximately 2.6m high.
The main inscription in leaded lettering in a recessed panel on the east face of the plinth reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD, AND IN GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE MEN OF REYDON,/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914 – 1919./ (29 NAMES). On the step the inscription reads: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
An additional inscription in leaded lettering on the south face of the plinth reads: 1939 – 1945/ (10 NAMES).
The names of the fallen from the Second World War include one civilian casualty.
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 Reydon as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was erected by Messrs L J Watts Ltd (masons) and unveiled in June 1920.
The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Reydon War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Margaret, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a simple but well-executed granite Latin cross.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Margaret (Grade II*).
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
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
[(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
[(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)