Summary

First World War memorial, by Thomas Mewburn Crook, unveiled on 12 March 1921.

Description

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located within the churchyard of St Lawrence’s Church, and it comprises a Calvary wheel-head cross. The cross rises on a tapering shaft which carries the carved crucified Christ. This is set upon a square chamfered plinth with carved details including a wreath. The whole stands upon a shallow square base.

The inscription on the north, west and south sides of the plinth reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE INSCRIBED ON THE TABLET WITHIN ST MARYS CHURCH. An incised inscription on the east face of the plinth reads: DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI.

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 Caterham on the Hill as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The estimate for a Calvary and memorial board in the Church of St Mary was for £534 with the money raised by donation.

Caterham Hill War Memorial was sculpted by Thomas Mewburn Crook (1869-1949) who first studied at the Church Institute, Bolton and Manchester Technical School before moving to London in 1890. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1904. In 1896, he returned to Manchester and became modelling master and anatomy lecturer at Manchester School of Art. Invited to join the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1905, he later became a Fellow from 1932 and subsequently served on its Council. He was also a member of the Art Workers Guild from 1914 to 1930. Major examples of his work are in St Mary’s Church, Wigan including a marble First World War memorial of St Anthony. He also executed First World War memorials outside St Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park, and All Saints Church, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield.

It was built by Charles J Blomfield and was dedicated on 12 March 1921 by the Bishop of Southwark and unveiled by Major General G D Jeffreys.

In 2015 the memorial was cleaned and conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

Caterham Hill 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: a well-executed Portland stone Calvary displaying a high level of craftsmanship;
* Sculptor: by Thomas Mewburn Crook, a prominent and skilled sculptor;
* Group value: with the Church of St Lawrence (Grade I), churchyard tombs (Grade II) and the Church of St Mary opposite (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478110

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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