Summary
First World War memorial, erected 1921, with later addition for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, erected 1921, with later addition for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION
The war memorial is square on plan and carved from limestone. It comprises an undecorated, infilled wheel-head cross on a tall, tapering shaft with a foliate decorated square collar, a plinth and a two-stepped base. It stands on a square concrete base. The front face of the shaft carries a recessed, relief carving of the sword of sacrifice and one of a laurel wreath at the base of the shaft. The plinth has inset slate panels to each face, and the dedicatory inscription on the front (north-west) face reads:
ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS OF/ BROUGHTON-ASTLEY/ IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE/ TO IT THAT THEIR NAMES BE NOT/ FORGOTTEN.
The names of the fallen are recorded on the other three faces. A plaque on the upper step of the base is inscribed: 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES).
The war memorial stands within a landscaped garden.
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, 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.
One such memorial was raised at Broughton Astley, funded by public subscription, to commemorate 33 parishioners who lost their lives during the conflict. It was unveiled on 16 July 1921 by Lord Denbigh; although the ceremony took place before the surrounding garden was fully laid out. Its design is similar to the war memorials at Gumley Park and Aylestone (both Grade II) which were designed by JH Morcom, a well-regarded local sculptor who was responsible for a number of memorials, however, the Broughton Astley example has not been identified as a work by him and remains unattributed.
The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Broughton Astley War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a thoughtfully-designed commemorative structure with good-quality carvings.
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
Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)