Summary
First World War memorial, erected in 1927, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, erected in 1927, with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS and PLAN: the monument consists of a large, roughly-hewn Celtic wheel cross of granite, mounted on a roughly hewn granite base.
DESCRIPTION: the Celtic wheel cross has a tapered shaft and a further, carved sword resembling a cross at its head on the southern side. Inscribed in lead lettering on its base on the southern face is ‘IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918’ followed by the names of those who died.
Below this, leaning on the front of the plinth, is a separate plaque with lead lettering which reads ‘1939-1945’ followed by the names of those who died during the Second World War. To the left of this is a small stone bowl.
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 in North Waltham. It commemorates the sacrifice made by 17 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The memorial is situated to the south of the Church of St Michael (Grade II). The memorial was unveiled on the 13 November1927 with later additions made for those who fell in the Second World War on a small plaque at the base of the cross.
Reasons for Listing
North Waltham War Memorial, which stands south of the Church of St Michael, 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 large, roughly-hewn Celtic wheel cross with a sword shaped cross at its head.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Michael (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
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)