Summary
First World War Memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
A First World War Memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS and PLAN: the memorial is square on plan and is constructed from roughly-hewn stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands approximately 5m east of 8 Titterstone Cottages. The memorial is approximately 3.5m tall and comprises a three stepped base surmounted by a plinth with engraved plaque on its south side, and a Celtic wheel cross carved with ‘RIP’ at its centre. There are low post and chain railings around the bottom step of the base.
The engraved plaque on the plinth reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND LOVING MEMORY OF / ( NAMES) / WHO DIED 1914-1919 /FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
A further inscription on the upper step of the base reads: ‘To the Glory of God and in memory of the men of / Titterstone 1939 -1945 / (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 in the hamlet of Bedlam, in the grounds of the former Methodist Chapel, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by ten members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of parishioners who died during the Second World War were also subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Bedlam 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 well-executed stone 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
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability