Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 1 November 1919.

Description

MATERIALS: granite.

DESCRIPTION: St Martin's War Memorial comprises a rough-hewn granite wheel-head cross and shaft set on a tapered plinth with the inscriptions leaded and painted black. In the centre of the cross is the inscription “HE GAVE HIMSELF”.

The main inscription, located on the bottom of the shaft, reads TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND IN PROUD AND / GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF THE MEN FROM / THIS PARISH / WHO FELL IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1918. The plinth bears the names of the fallen of the First World War.

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 unveiled outside St Martin’s Church, West Acton on 1 November 1919 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 36 local servicemen who fell during the First World War. 

In 2014 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

St Martin's War Memorial, unveiled on 1 November 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 the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified granite wheel-head cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66477894

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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