Summary
First World War memorial, erected in 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, erected 1920, with Second World War additions.
MATERIALS: of limestone with a slate inscription panel.
DESCRIPTION: Plungar War Memorial stands in a prominent position within a roadside garden at the corner of Frog Lane and Barkestone Lane.
The memorial takes the form of a slender limestone obelisk that tapers in square section from a tall, three-stage, square plinth to a pyramidal top. The plinth stands on a three-stepped base of which the upper step is cruciform and the lower two steps octagonal. The south (front) face of the obelisk bears relief carvings of the Sword of Sacrifice along with the Latin word 'PAX' (meaning peace). The other faces contain incised Swords of Sacrifice.
The main dedicatory inscription is inscribed on an inset slate panel on the plinth's south face and reads 'IN PROUD MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF / PLUNGAR / WHO MADE THE / SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 19 / [Names]'. A further panel at the base of the plinth records the name of a single serviceman who died in the Second World War.
The middle step of the base is inscribed with the verse 'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS' (John 15:13)
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 Plungar in Leicestershire as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by seven local servicemen. It was unveiled and dedicated on 7 November 1920 by the local vicar, Reverend RT Seivewright.
Following the Second World War a further dedication was added to commemorate the single villager who fell in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Plungar War Memorial, erected in 1920, with Second World War additions, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a simple but impressive and well executed obelisk.
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
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5