Summary
A First World War memorial, dedicated in 1919, with names added after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, dedicated in 1919, with names added after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Corby stone and slate.
PLAN: square on plan and prominently situated near to the south door of the church.
DESCRIPTION: Wymondham War Memorial stands 4m high and comprises a wheel-head cross on a tapering, square shaft surmounted by a square capital with a cornice. It rests on a square plinth with slate plaques, and a four-stepped octagonal stone base. The plinth bears the inscriptions in incised lettering which read: THIS MEMORIAL CROSS/ BEARS THE HONOURED NAMES/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918/ OR IN THAT OF 1939 - 1945/ AND IT IS DEDICATED TO THEM/ BY THEIR FELLOW VILLAGERS/ IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE// 1914 - 1918/ (NAMES)// 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES).The memorial stands on a square foundation and is bounded by eight low posts connected by twisted iron bars.
History
The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Previously, memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, 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.
Wymondham, like many rural Leicestershire war memorials, is situated within a churchyard. The memorial commemorates 14 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and ten men who fell in the Second World War.
The plans were approved at a public meeting on 19 February 1919, and the memorial scheme was supervised by Mr W Tomlinson, clerk of works to the Stapleford estate. The memorial was made by Belton and Goddard, of Stamford. The cost at the time was estimated at £130, and was raised by public subscription. £20 was left over and used as an ‘endowment’ for the upkeep of the monument.
The memorial was unveiled on 1 November 1919 by Colonel John Gretton MP of Stapleford Park and it was dedicated by the Rural Dean, the Reverend F B A Williams.
The slate plaques now affixed to the plinth were added following the Second World War, when the inscription was changed to include those who fell in that conflict. The rededication following their addition took place on 3 April 1949 and was attended by Mr Rupert Payne.
Reasons for Listing
Wymondham 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest
* as an eye-catching and elegant wheel-head cross.
Group value
* for its group value with the Grade I listed Church of St Peter and with the scheduled and Grade II listed former market cross.
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
Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
Old House Care and Repair
London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House