Summary

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

Description

The war memorial is situated in Brinkworth Cemetery on the north side of The Street, behind the cemetery railings and just to the right of the entrance gate. Of granite, the simple memorial is in the form of a small wheel-head cross on a tapering shaft. The shaft rises from a square, tapering, plinth which stands on a low step.

The front face of the foot of the cross shaft bears text that reads FOR GOD,/ KING,/ AND COUNTRY. Below this, on the front face of the plinth, is the principal dedicatory inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE TWENTY MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR/ COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (20 NAMES). An inscription on the front face of the step reads GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN/ LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS/ (1 NAME on a metal strip). A bronze plaque on the left face of the plinth reads IN MEMORY OF THOSE FROM/ THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE 2ND WORLD WAR/ 1939-1945/ (2 NAMES).

Small modern planters are arranged around the base of the memorial. These are not of special interest.

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, 16 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 raised at Brinkworth as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 20 members of the local community who had lost their lives. Following the Second World War a bronze plaque was added to the memorial, commemorating two men who died in that conflict. A further metal strip has been added to the front face of the memorial’s base, carrying one name.

Reasons for Listing

Brinkworth War Memorial, which stands in Brinkworth Cemetery, 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: a simple yet dignified granite wheel-head cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677829

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.

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