Summary

First World War memorial, 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: granite with lead lettering.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located in the Church of St Philip churchyard and consists of a rough-hewn granite wheel-headed cross with a sword carved in relief on the front face of the cross head and shaft. The cross shaft rises from a plinth on a rectangular two-stepped base.

An inscription on the base of the front face of the cross shafts reads 1914-1919. The front face of the plinth is recessed and bears the inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS/ PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ (NAMES)/ “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”. The names of the fallen from the Second World War are inscribed on one side of the plinth.

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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Burwash Weald as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 32 members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War. 

Burwash Weald War Memorial, erected by Messrs Burslem, was unveiled around 1922. The cost of the memorial was raised by public subscription. Following the Second World War the names of 10 fallen from that conflict were added to the memorial. In 2017 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid administered by War Memorials Trust.

A Burslem and Son (founded in 1853) were memorial masons based in Tunbridge Wells. They were responsible for working on a number of war memorials in the south-east of England.

Reasons for Listing

The Burwash Weald War Memorial in the church yard of the Church of St Philip, Burwash Weald 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 well-executed example of one of the common forms of First World War memorials.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q63483898

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)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)