Summary

War memorial, erected in 1920. Further plaques added after Second World War.

Description

War memorial, erected in 1920. Further plaques added after Second World War.

MATERIALS: carved from Cornish granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a Celtic cross with a tapered shaft mounted upon a square plinth which in turn rests on a square base with a chamfered top. The four arms of the cross have interlaced carvings in relief, while panels to the four sides of the shaft contain panels of more stylised carvings . The front (north) face of the plinth is inscribed: IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ ENGLAND’S HONOUR./ (NAMES and the year they died). The rear face carries the inscription: PRAISE BE TO GOD/ FOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF/ STURMINSTER MARSHALL/ WHO FAITHFULLY SERVED THEIR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919. Dedicatory inscriptions were added to the west and east sides of the plinth following the Second World War. The west face records: 1939 TO 1945/ (NAMES, rank and the year they died); the opposing side is inscribed: 1939-1945/ (NAMES, rank and the year they died).

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, 7 December 2016.

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. One such memorial was erected at the junction of Market Place and High Street in Sturminster Marshall commemorates the twenty one men from the parish who lost their lives during the conflict. It was unveiled in January 1920, its design based on a medieval cross at Temple Moor near Bodmin. After the Second World War further inscriptions were added to commemorate the eight men who died during this war.

Reasons for Listing

Sturminster Marshall War Memorial, which is situated in the centre of the village, 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;
* Design: a well-executed and well-carved memorial in the form of a Celtic cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677688

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

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)