Summary
A First World War Memorial unveiled in 1919 with additions made after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War Memorial unveiled in 1919 with additions made after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: the memorial is carved from Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in the churchyard, about 4m north of the tower of the Church of St Mary (Grade I). The memorial is approximately 3.3m tall and comprises a wheel cross carved with Celtic knots with a tapering, footed shaft set on a square pedestal with a two-stepped plinth.
The names of the Fallen are inscribed on the north face of the shaft along with their years of death. The inscription on the north face of the pedestal reads: IN HONOURED AND GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF WALSHAM-LE-WILLOWS/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT EUROPEAN WARS/ 1914-1919/ 1939-1945.
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 Walsham le Willows as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was built by G Maile and Son Ltd and was unveiled on 19 September 1919 in the presence of Major General F Maurice. Additions were made to the memorial after the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Walsham le Willows War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as a well-executed stone cross.
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.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade I).
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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
For the Record
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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