Summary

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

Description

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

DESCRIPTION: a Portland stone cross on a tall pillar rising from an octagonal plinth, which stands on a three-stepped square base. A laurel wreath is carved in relief in the middle of the cross.

The inscription around the top of the plinth reads MEN OF WINSLEY PARISH WHO FELL DURING THE WAR ERECTED BY WINSLEY PARISHONERS. Below this is the First World War dedication on three faces. The first face reads TO THE GLORY/ OF GOD/ WHO GRANTED/ VICTORY TO/ THE ARMS OF/ OUR COUNTRY IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. On the second face is written TO THE HONOURED/ AND/ LASTING MEMORY/ OF THOSE MEN/ OF THE PARISH/ WHO LOST/ THEIR LIVES/ IN THE CAMPAIGN and the final face reads AS A TRIBUTE TO/ THE SERVICES OF/ 73 MEN WHO ALSO/ SERVED OVERSEAS/ AND WHO HAPPILY SURVIVED - 24/ OTHERS MOREOVER/ SERVED AT HOME. Three of the remaining faces of the plinth are inscribed with the names of the fallen, whilst two faces remain blank.

There is an additional Second World War inscription on the top step of the base which reads 1939 – 1945 (NAMES).

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 Winsley as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. It commemorates 13 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 6 fallen of that conflict. It is not definitely known who erected the memorial, although it is very similar to others in nearby villages that were the work of James Long Ltd of Trowbridge.

In 2014 the memorial was repaired and conserved with funding from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

Winsley War Memorial, which stands at a junction in 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 this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet elegant memorial cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26678115

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

• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5