Upton Pyne War Memorial, Upton Pyne, Devon

Entry Name: Upton Pyne War Memorial

Listing Date: 28 February 2019

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1462711

Location: Upton Pyne, East Devon, Devon, EX5

County: Devon

District: East Devon

Civil Parish: Upton Pyne

Traditional County: Devon

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Devon

Summary

A First World War memorial, erected in 1920, altered following the Second World War.

Description

A First World War memorial, erected in 1920, altered following the Second World War.

MATERIALS AND PLAN: the memorial is constructed of pale grey Devon granite. It stands in the churchyard, beside the entrance to the Church of Our Lady and a short distance from a late medieval churchyard cross.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a plain Latin cross with a gently tapering shaft on a substantial square plinth and two-stepped octagonal base. It is approximately 3.65m high.

The main inscription on the west face of the plinth reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ THIS CROSS IS ERECTED IN PROUD AND/ GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE MEN OF/ THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR COUNTRY AND HOME IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918/ (NAMES)/ THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE.

A further inscription on the south face of the plinth reads:

2ND WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945/ (NAME).

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 the country. 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. The memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this loss.

One such memorial was raised at Upton Pyne as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 16 members of the local community who lost their lives in the war.

The memorial was unveiled by the Earl of Iddesleigh and dedicated by the Bishop of Crediton on Sunday 24 October 1920. The cost of the memorial was £100, and this was raised by public subscription.

The name of one parishioner who fell during the Second World War was subsequently added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

Upton Pyne War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* the memorial is a dignified and solemn stone cross, made from local stone and well proportioned.

Historic interest:

* as witness to the impact of the events of the First World War on the local community, and the desire for remembrance following the tragic loss of life.

Group value:

* it has group value with other listed buildings nearby, principally the Grade I-listed Church of Our Lady and the Grade II-listed cross, located in the same churchyard.