Summary

First World War memorial unveiled on 16 July 1922.

Description

First World War memorial unveiled on 16 July 1922.

MATERIALS: rough-hewn granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located on a landscaped triangular green and it comprises an obelisk set upon a tapered plinth upon a square two-stepped base. On the north face of the obelisk at the base is a bronze laurel wreath with its ribbon below bearing the inscription DEO but the rest is illegible.

At the base of the south face of the obelisk is the inscription in black painted lead letters on a polished smooth recessed panel which reads: TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS DISTRICT/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918. Below, the plinth carries the inscription: "THE CAUSE CALLED THEM, THEY WENT AND WON FOR YOU" followed by the names underneath in lead letters on polished smooth recessed panels. Further names are carried on the other faces of the plinth.

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

Harley Lionel Adrian Oswald-Hicks whose name appears on the memorial was the son of the Reverend Thomas Oswald-Hicks of West Green who had launched the campaign and chaired the War Memorial Committee in order to construct a lasting memorial to the sons of West Green. The money was raised by public subscription with much of it being donated by the local residents. The memorial was unveiled by General Lord Horne GCB KCMG on Sunday 16 July 1922. Thomas Oswald-Hicks formally requested Major P B Malone MP to accept the custody of the memorial on behalf of the District Council. Horne stated that the memorial was for the fallen of West Green and Tottenham. It commemorates 438 men.

It was situated on a landscaped West Green which was reconfigured after the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

West Green and Tottenham 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 simple yet dignified granite obelisk;
* Group value: with the former Education Offices and Downhills School (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q59140364

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

• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper