Summary
A First World War memorial dating from 1925, moved to its present position in 1968.
Description
A First World War memorial dating from 1925, moved to its present position in 1968.
MATERIALS AND PLAN: the memorial is constructed of stone and it stands on a raised bank on the south side of the main road through the village.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a Celtic-style wheel cross, which stands atop a tapering shaft which itself is atop a tapered base.
On the base is carved the inscription, 'TO THE MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ RIP/ TO THE MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE 1939-45 WAR/ RIP/ RE-DEDICATED ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 1968 AFTER REMOVAL TO THIS SITE'.
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 memorial originally stood in the churchyard at the Church of St John the Baptist, and was unveiled in October 1925. Following the Second World War, the memorial was altered to include a dedication to those of the parish lost in that conflict. The memorial was moved to its present location in 1968.
Reasons for Listing
The war memorial in Avon Dassett is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as a well designed and made stone cross war memorial, with good detailing.
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events of this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.
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
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
For the Record
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)