Summary

First World War memorial, designed by I T R J Meakin, unveiled on 20 December 1919.

Description

MATERIALS: Runcorn stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises an obelisk, some 2.5m tall, set upon a three-stepped base. On each face of the obelisk is a bronze plaque commemorating those who served and died in the First World War.

A rectangular bronze dedication plaque is mounted on the middle step of the base and reads: THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED TO / THE LASTING HONOUR OF THOSE WHO WENT FROM RADFORD TO SERVE THEIR KING AND / COUNTRY IN THE NAVY, ARMY AND AIR FORCE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919. / THEIR NAMES APPEAR ON THE TABLETS ON THE COLUMN ABOVE / A † INDICATING THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES. / PRESENTED TO RADFORD BY C. VERNON PUGH ESQ. J.P. 1919.

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 Radford St Nicholas as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Radford St Nicholas war memorial was the idea of Rev F G Upton, vicar of St Nicolas Church. He proposed it in a letter to parishioners in June 1918. Following this a committee was formed to set about raising funds for the war memorial. They approached Councillor C Vernon Pugh who sponsored the scheme and provided the funds for the memorial.

The memorial was designed by I T R J Meakin, architect of Coventry, and was unveiled by Councillor C Vernon Pugh on 20 December 1919. The stonework was undertaken by J White and Sons of Yardley, Birmingham and the bronze plaques were the work of Baker and Sons of St Paul's Square, Birmingham. The memorial commemorates 152 local servicemen who fought in the First World War, 17 of whom died and which are denoted on the plaques by a cross next to their name.

The memorial was originally located on the corner of Radford Common but was relocated to its present site in 1984.

In 2014 three of the five plaques were replaced following theft with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust, St Nicholas Church and donations from the community. 

Reasons for Listing

Radford St Nicholas War Memorial, unveiled 20 December 1919, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified obelisk memorial.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477873

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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