Summary
First World War memorial with later additions.
Description
First World War memorial with later additions.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent roadside location on the A438 to the south of Stretton Sugwas. The memorial comprises a stone Latin cross on a tapering octagonal shaft on a square plinth with a two-stepped octagonal base.
The main inscription in incised lettering on the plinth reads: (south-east face) TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914–1919/ (south-west face) (5 NAMES).
An additional inscription on the base reads: (south-east face of upper step) AND IN/ 1939–1945/ (south-west face of upper step) (3 NAMES)/. A further inscription commemorates one parishioner who died in the Korean War.
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 Stretton Sugwas 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 names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War and the Korean War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Stretton Sugwas War Memorial, which stands in a prominent roadside location on the A438 in Stretton Sugwas, 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 elegant and striking Latin cross.
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
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)