Summary

Romsey war memorial commemorates the men of Romsey who fell during the First and Second World Wars.

Description

The memorial stands towards the north of the park. Constructed of light coloured stone, it is approximately 6m tall, and takes the form of a tapering square column on a tall plinth and two-stepped base. From each of the four corners of the plinth a shaped, angled, buttress, capped with a ball finial at the base of the shaft, radiates outward. Each face of the shaft is in the form of a stylised cross, with a recessed cross incised into it. In each corner, beneath the arms of the crosses, is the face of a winged putto, and at the bottom of the shaft, a wreath is carved in relief onto each face.

At the base of the column, facing to the north, is the following inscription: THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. Towards the top of the column, the word 'HONOUR' is inscribed. At the base of the column, facing to the south, is the following inscription: THE WORLD WAR / 1939- 1945 / THEY LEFT ALL THAT WAS DEAR TO THEM, / ENDURED HARDNESS, FACED DANGER AND / FINALLY PASSED OUT OF THE SIGHT OF MEN / LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE TO IT THAT / THEIR NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN. The Roll of Honour is inscribed on the four sides of the monument.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 6 December 2016.

History

Romsey war memorial stands within War Memorial Park, which was created as a memorial to the men of Romsey who fell during the First World War. The park was laid out on a five acre meadow with funds raised by public subscription, and constructed under the supervision of Charles Dyson, District Surveyor. The park was opened on 4 August 1920, and the memorial was unveiled the following year by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, on the 22nd June 1921. The names of those who fell during the Second World War were added subsequently.

Reasons for Listing

Romsey war memorial is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historical interest: as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by this community in the First and Second World Wars, it is of strong historic and cultural significance both at a local and a national level;
* Design interest: it is an elegant monument executed in good quality materials.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26676092

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

• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990