Summary

War Memorial unveiled in 1920 commemorating men from Odcombe who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the First World War and subsequently the Second World War.

Description

A memorial commemorating thirteen men of the parish of Odcombe who served their country in the First World War (1914-1918) and a further two men who served in the Second World War (1939-1945).

The c2.5m high memorial, designed in a neo-Classical style, consists of a rough hewn stone base with a smooth plinth, topped with a scrolled pediment carved with laurel leaves and the Christgram IHS. The front of the plinth is inscribed with the names of the Fallen and the words:
'IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE - OF THOSE THAT FELL IN - THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 - (NAMES)'
With on the base underneath:
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"
The right hand face of the plinth inscribed with:
'AND OF - THOSE THAT FELL IN - THE WORLD WAR -1939-1945. - (NAMES)'
With underneath a small cast iron plaque with gold lettering reading:
'THIS MEMORIAL WAS MOVED FROM - THE METHODIST CHURCH - WHEN IT WAS CLOSED AT EASTER - 2005 - THE REDEDICATION HERE - TOOK PLACE ON 11-11-2005'

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 14 December 2016.

History

The war memorial in Odcombe was unveiled on 20 April 1920 to commemorate thirteen local men who lost their lives in the First World War whilst serving their country. The names of two men who fell whilst serving their country during the Second World War were added later.

In 1989 the memorial was restored with the names re-cut, funded by an anonymous donor.

The memorial originally stood adjacent to the Odcombe Primitive Methodist Chapel, but due to its closure was moved at Easter 2005 to its current location on Coryate Close, just over 100m to the south-west of the chapel. It was re-dedicated on 11 November 2005.

Reasons for Listing

Odcombe War Memorial is listed at Grade II, for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: although a relatively plain design, it is an elegant and dignified memorial that contributes to its setting in an historic village.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677475

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

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)