Summary
First World War memorial, with later addition for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, with later addition for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION
The war memorial stands close to the entrance to the churchyard of the Church of St Ethelbert (Grade I). It comprises a stone wheel-head cross, with IHS carved at its centre and strapwork carvings to the cross and shaft, a shouldered and chamfered plinth and a single-stepped base. The front (south) face of the plinth is inscribed in painted lettering:
TO THE MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO DIED ON MILITARY SERVICE DURING/ THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ AND OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND DIED/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
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 Thurton, within the churchyard, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by three members of the local community who lost their lives during the First World War. It is not known exactly when the memorial was erected. Following the Second World War a dedicatory inscription and the names of the three parishioners who died in this conflict were added.
Reasons for Listing
Thurton 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 the local community, and the sacrifices it made in the First World War.
Architectural interest:
* it is a well-detailed war memorial in the form of a wheel-head cross.
Group value:
* it has group value with the Church of St Ethelbert (Grade I).
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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy
Old House Care and Repair
Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)