Summary
A First World War memorial, erected in 1920; further names added after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, erected in 1920; further names added after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: stone, with metal for the gnomon of the sundial.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial, which rises to a height of about 4m, consists of a tall, slightly tapering square-section column with chamfers and stops, and a projecting square head, with a sundial to the front face. Above the head is a finial formed from three orbs. The shaft stands directly on the topmost step of a seven-stepped platform. The front faces of the steps carry the inscriptions.
The inscription is in incised lettering and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND// TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY/ OF THESE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ OF 1914 - 1918 FROM THIS PARISH/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE// ALSO TO THOSE WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 - 1945// FOR OUR TOMORROW/ THEY GAVE THEIR/ TODAY// (NAMES)
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.
The memorial, commemorating the 16 men of the parish who died in the First World War, was commissioned by the local war memorial committee, chaired by Mr Gordon Cunard, and unveiled on 24 April 1920 by Lieut-Col Hon G Stanley, GCMG, MP.
After the Second World War, a further inscription was added in memory of those 7 servicemen who lost their lives in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Lubenham 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 village’s community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* for its design, including a well-carved column and sundial.
External Links
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