Summary

First World War memorial, built after 1919; altered after the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, built after 1919; altered after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: the memorial is constructed of red stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent roadside location inside the boundary walls of southeastern edge of the churchyard of Church of St James (Grade II).

The memorial comprises a red stone column composed of a tapering octagonal cross shaft on an inscribed, octagonal stepped base. It is topped with a small coped cross.

The names of the members of the parish who fellin the conflict are inscribed on the octagonal base. Around the chamfered top of the base, the dates of the two conflicts are inscribed.

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 West Malvern as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 24 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was designed by A G Lewis, a builder who carried out other works in Malvern. It is noted that the design of the memorial was modelled on the Malvern Priory Churchyard cross. The mason was Thomas Jones, a local mason.

The names of the seven parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

West Malvern 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 memorial in the form of a tapered cross shaft.

Recommended Books

• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)