Summary

First World War memorial in the churchyard of Our Lady of Egmanton, unveiled in 1920.

Description

First World War memorial in the churchyard of Our Lady of Egmanton, unveiled in 1920.

MATERIALS: the memorial is built of limestone.

PLAN: the memorial stands on a square base.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a plain cross with a sword of sacrifice applied in low relief. The memorial stands on a three stepped base and plinth. The inscription, which is applied on the cross, reads: TO/ THE/ GLORY/ OF GOD/ AND IN/ GRATEFUL/ MEMORY/ OF. The plinth below is inscribed with the Roll of Honour followed by: OF THIS PARISH WHO FELL/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-18. The steps below read: GRANT THEM O LORD ETERNAL REST/ AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

History

The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the 19th century. Prior to then memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, which was the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 war memorial at Egmanton stands in the graveyard of the Church of St Mary, also known as Our Lady of Egmanton. The memorial was unveiled by Lieutenant Colonel John Markham Rose and dedicated on Saturday 20 March 1920. The monument is sited at the east end of the church and the inscription faces towards the road. The names of the four residents of the village killed in the First World War are commemorated on the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

The war memorial situated in the churchyard of Our Lady of Egmanton dating to 1920, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as 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:

* as a simple but well-executed Latin cross memorial.

Group Value:

* with the Grade I listed Church of Our Lady of Egmanton.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q97301874

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.

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