Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 20 March 1921, with further names added after the Second World War and later conflicts.

Description

MATERIALS: Cornish granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a Latin cross surmounting a hexagonal cornice, displaying a carved floral motif. This is set on a tapering octagonal shaft. The shaft stands on a square plinth with a splayed decorative top and splayed base. The front of the plinth bears the inscription which reads: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN/ HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS./ TO THE GLORY OF GOD,/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE 52 MEN OF THIS PARISH,/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND/ COUNTRY, IN THE GREAT WAR./ 1914-1919. The other three faces of the plinth carry the names.

The plinth stands on a three-stepped octagonal base, with the top step carrying three inclined plaques bearing the Second World War dedication which reads: THE FALLEN 1939 – 1945. The remaining plaques on the step list the names.

Another inscribed inclined plaque on the second octagonal step is dedicated to the fallen of the Korean War and Falklands War.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 19 January 2017.

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

Broseley War Memorial was unveiled on Sunday 20 March 1921 by Col The Right Hon Lord Forester. The ceremony was attended by Rev A C Howell, Lady Forester, a large proportion of the town’s population and the Jackfield band. The memorial was built at the cost of £500 which was funded by public subscription.

After the Second World War a further 19 names were added. Further names have since been added for later conflicts, including the Korean War and the Falklands War.

Reasons for Listing

Broseley War Memorial 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: an ornate and striking Latin cross in Cornish granite.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478035

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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