Summary

First World War memorial, 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial stands at the northern edge of The Green in Cheddington village. Built of grey granite, it comprises a tall obelisk raised on a square, chamfered, plinth. The plinth stands on a three-stepped base. A plain Latin cross is carved in relief on the front face of the obelisk. The memorial is enclosed by a low hedge and flowerbed to the front and sides.

The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the plinth reads IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF/ CHEDDINGTON/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (18 NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. The Second World War inscription on a small, sloping stone fixed on the middle step of the base reads 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES).

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, 11 January 2017.

History

Cheddington War Memorial was unveiled by Mr E Archer (father of one of the commemorated men) and dedicated by the Rector, Reverend WHH Elliott, on 24 December 1922, to commemorate 18 local servicemen who died during the First World War. The scheme for a public memorial was promoted by local ex-servicemen, who approached the war memorial committee. The committee, responsible for identical alabaster plaques that had been erected in the parish church and the Wesleyan Chapel, set aside £60 towards the cost. The balance of the full cost of £120 was met through fundraising activities. A further three names were added following the Second World War, to commemorate those who died in that conflict.

Reasons for Listing

Cheddington War Memorial, situated on The Green, 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 C20;
* Architectural interest: a well-proportioned Classical obelisk.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677773

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

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)