Summary
A First World War memorial, unveiled 21 November 1921 with later plaque commemorating the fallen of the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, unveiled 21 November 1921 with later plaque commemorating the fallen of the Second World War.
MATERIALS: granite.
DESCRIPTION: Hunsdon War Memorial stands on a paved base and takes the form of a rough hewn granite Celtic wheel-head cross incorporating smooth polished areas which bear the inscriptions.
At the bottom of the shaft on the north face, the dedication reads: IN / HONOURED MEMORY / OF / THE MEN OF / HUNSDON / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1919. On the north face of the plinth are inscribed the names of the 18 First World War fallen.
This inscription is repeated on the base of the shaft on the south face: IN / HONOURED MEMORY / OF / THE MEN OF / HUNSDON / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1939 – 1945. Set into the plinth on the south face are the seven names of the fallen from the Second World War.
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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Hunsdon as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 18 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial was made by Mr C Smith and unveiled on 21 November 1921 and dedicated by Bishop Hodges. Historic photographs show that it was once enclosed by low posts and chains but these have since been removed.
A plaque was later added to the memorial commemorating seven of the fallen who died in the Second World War.
The cleaning and repair of the memorial was financed by the Parish Council in 2000.
Reasons for Listing
Hunsdon 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 local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a simple yet elegant example of a granite wheel-head cross.
Group value:
* with The Crown Public House (Grade II) and the Village Hall (Grade II) and other listed buildings along the High Street.
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.
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