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: Scottish granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located on a triangular green at a road junction in the centre of Raughton Head, Cumbria. It is prominently situated at the heart of the hamlet and opposite the parish church. It comprises a tall Scottish granite Celtic cross with a central boss and knot work carved on all sides, atop a tall, four-sided pillar with a moulded cornice and including ball mouldings underneath, bearing Celtic decorative motifs and inscriptions. The pillar is set upon a two-stepped base.

The pillar bears the inscriptions in leaded lettering which reads: THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ KILLED IN ACTION/ (NAMES)/ “THE GLORIOUS DEAD”// SERVED IN HM FORCES/ (NAMES)// SERVED IN HM FORCES/ (NAMES)// SERVED 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THOSE FROM THIS/ PARISH/ WHO ANSWERED THEIR COUNTRY’S CALL/ (NAMES).

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 Raughton Head. It was made by monumental masons, Beattie and Co, of Carlisle and cost £165. The memorial commemorates 13 local servicemen who fell (and a further 59 who served and returned) in the First World War. It was unveiled on 31 August 1920 and dedicated by the vicar of Raughton Head.

The names of 19 men who served and returned from the Second World War were added subsequently.

Reasons for Listing

Raughton Head War Memorial, which stands on a triangular green opposite the Church of All Saints, 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 an elaborately carved and well-executed granite cross.

Group value:

* with the Church of All Saints (Grade II) and the Chapel House (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q56809249

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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