History in Structure

Kingston Vale War Memorial

A Grade II Listed Building in Kingston upon Thames, London

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.4338 / 51°26'1"N

Longitude: -0.259 / 0°15'32"W

OS Eastings: 521116

OS Northings: 171969

OS Grid: TQ211719

Mapcode National: GBR 8X.KC3

Mapcode Global: VHGR9.G7F6

Plus Code: 9C3XCPMR+G9

Entry Name: Kingston Vale War Memorial

Listing Date: 20 July 2016

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1436525

ID on this website: 101436525

Location: St John the Baptist's Church, Kingston Vale, Kingston upon Thames, London, SW15

County: London

District: Kingston upon Thames

Electoral Ward/Division: Coombe Hill

Parish: Non Civil Parish

Built-Up Area: Kingston upon Thames

Traditional County: Surrey

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London

Church of England Parish: Kingston Vale St John the Baptist

Church of England Diocese: Southwark

Tagged with: Memorial

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Summary


First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920.

Description


MATERIALS: stone Calvary cross.

DESCRIPTION: Kingston Vale War Memorial is located opposite the porch of the Church of St John the Baptist in an area of green surrounded on three sides by hedging.

The war memorial comprises a hooded Calvary cross with a carved figure of Christ. The cross stands on a tapered shaft rising from a square plinth and three-stepped octagonal base. The names are incised on the faces of the plinth by year and preceded by the date of death. The dedication is located on the top two octagonal steps and reads: THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HANDS OF GOD/ IN/ MEMORY OF OUR DEAD/ 1914 – 1918.

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at St John the Baptist Church, Kingston Vale in 1920 at a cost of £185, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 28 members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War. 

In 2013 the memorial was repaired with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing


Kingston Vale War Memorial, unveiled in 1920, 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 sacrifices it made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: a well-carved example of a hooded Calvary cross.

External Links

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