Summary

First World War memorial, 1921, with additions for later conflicts.

Description

The c4m tall granite war memorial stands in the churchyard of St John’s Church (demolished). It takes the form of a small wheel-head cross with a moulded foot, raised on a corniced pedestal. The pedestal is square on plan with a moulded base, and stands on two sandstone steps.

The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the pedestal reads IN HONOUR/ AND/ TO THE MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF ESCOMB/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918 with THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE on the base below. The commemorated names are recorded to either side of the pedestal.

The memorial stands in a small square enclosure defined by a low stone kerb which supports an ornamental wrought iron railing.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 7 February 2017.

History

Escomb War Memorial was unveiled on 2 October 1921 by Lord Gainford, and dedicated by the Rural Dean, Reverend the Lord Thurlow, at an ecumenical service. Sculpted by Allison and Son of Bishop Auckland, the memorial was paid for by public subscription. It commemorates 17 local servicemen who died in the First World War. The names of those 16 who had died in the Second World War were added in 1988. The name of one soldier who died in Northern Ireland in 1975 was also added.

Reasons for Listing

Escomb War Memorial, which stands in St John’s churchyard, 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 poignant memorial cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477739

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

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings