Summary
A First World War memorial dating to around 1920 with additions after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial dating to around 1920 with additions after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial is a Latin cross supporting a carved body of Christ under a pitched roof. The cross stands on a two stage square plinth on a square base. It faces north. The main inscription on the upper stage of the north face of the plinth reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF KIRTON/ WHO DIED FOR/ KING AND COUNTRY/ 1914–1918
Beneath the main inscription on the lower stage of the plinth another inscription reads: JESU MERCY/ MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM
The names of the fallen in the First World War are on the upper stage of the east and west faces of the plinth, with seven names inscribed on each face. A further inscription on the upper stage of the south face of the plinth reads: 1939–1945/ (3 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. One such memorial was raised at Kirton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the seven members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of the three parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
The Kirton War Memorial is prominently located in the graveyard surrounding the C16 Grade II listed St Mary and St Martin's Church, around six metres south-west of the church tower. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 17 October 1920 by Brigadier-General S E Massy-Lloyd.
Reasons for Listing
Kirton 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 a good example of a Latin cross with relief-carved decoration.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Martin (Grade II).
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
Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)