Summary
War memorial, erected around 1920. Unknown architect.
Description
War memorial, erected around 1920. Unknown architect.
MATERIALS: carved from sandstone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a floriated cross atop a hexagonal column with a squared plinth that stands on a five-step hexagonal base with chamfered edges. The plinth and uppermost steps of the base bear inscriptions in incised letters. The names of twenty-nine parishioners who died in the First World War are inscribed on the north, east and west faces of the plinth. The inscription to the south face of the plinth reads:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE / WHO MADE THE / SUPREME SACRIFICE / FOR THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
The two uppermost steps on the south face of the base were altered around 1949 to commemorate ten parishioners who died as a result of the Second World War. The dates ‘1939-1945’ are inscribed into the chamfered edge of the top step with the names of two parishioners into the face. The second step from the top has had a section cut in line with the face of the top step to create a flat surface inscribed with a further eight names and a small cross below the central two 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Dymock as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Dymock War Memorial is centrally located on Wintour’s Green immediately south of the Church of St Mary (Grade I) and north of The White House (Grade II).
The memorial cross was erected around 1920 together with an illuminated wall tablet in the Church of St Mary to commemorate the sacrifice of twenty-nine parishioners who died during the First World War. The stepped base of the memorial was later altered to add the names of ten parishioners who died during the Second World War and was unveiled by Canon D Gethyn-Jones RD on 6 November 1949.
Reasons for Listing
Dymock 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:
* for its humble and well-realised design in the form of a floriated sandstone cross atop a hexagonal column and squared plinth with five-stepped hexagonal sandstone base;
* for the crisp incised lettering of its inscriptions.
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
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
[(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)