Summary
First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS: granite.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands beside the gateway to the churchyard, close to the Church of the Holy Trinity (Grade I) and a short distance from the Humphreys monument (Grade II). The memorial comprises a wheel-head cross with a rough-hewn tapering shaft on a square tapering pedestal atop a substantial stone platform. The memorial is carved from pale grey granite.
The main inscription in leaded lettering reads: (south face) FOR KING AND COUNTRY/ 1914 – 1918/ 1939 – 1945/ (1 NAME), (west face) (6 NAMES), (east face) (5 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 Weare Giffard as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 2 October 1921 by Lieutenant-Colonel M T Phelps.
The name of one parishioner who fell during the Second World War was subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Weare Giffard War Memorial, which stands beside the gateway to the churchyard, close to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 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 well-executed and elegant small granite wheel-head cross.
Group value:
* with the Church of the Holy Trinity (Grade I) and Humphreys monument (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
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House