Summary
First World War memorial.
Description
First World War memorial.
MATERIALS: constructed of stone.
DESCRIPTION: comprising a plain Latin cross on a substantial square plinth with a two-stepped square base. The main inscription in incised lettering on the east face of the plinth reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND/ IN HONOUR/ OF/ 2 NAMES / OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR/ KING & COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY.
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. One such memorial was raised at Birtsmorton 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 is of unknown date and does not appear on Ordnance Survey Editions, although it was presumably erected prior to 1939 due to the Second World War not being included in the inscription
Reasons for Listing
Birtsmorton War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* it is an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* it is a well-constructed war memorial in the form of a Latin cross.
Group value:
* it has group value with the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Grade II*) and a number of chest tombs (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
Old House Care and Repair
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey