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Latitude: 52.0862 / 52°5'10"N
Longitude: -2.0999 / 2°5'59"W
OS Eastings: 393248
OS Northings: 243093
OS Grid: SO932430
Mapcode National: GBR 2JZ.3XF
Mapcode Global: VH938.KT6M
Plus Code: 9C4V3WP2+F2
Entry Name: Birlingham War Memorial
Listing Date: 6 December 2016
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1440881
ID on this website: 101440881
Location: Birlingham, Wychavon, Worcestershire, WR10
County: Worcestershire
District: Wychavon
Civil Parish: Birlingham
Traditional County: Worcestershire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Worcestershire
Church of England Parish: Birlingham
Church of England Diocese: Worcester
Tagged with: War memorial Memorial cross
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
Birlingham War Memorial stands on the village green outside the Church of St James. It comprises a Latin cross with a Celtic-style knotwork cross carved on its front face. The cross is set upon a square shaft which rises from a plinth on a two-stepped base.
The face of the shaft is inscribed in ornate incised lettering: LIVE THOU/ FOR/ ENGLAND/ THEY FOR/ ENGLAND/ DIED. The front face of the plinth is also inscribed and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM THIS/ PARISH WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ WAR 1914 – 1918.
On the step below this is 1939 – 45.
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 Birlingham 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 nine local servicemen who fell during the First World War.
In 1948 a dedication was added to commemorate the two fallen of the Second World War.
In 2005 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.
Birlingham 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 with carved decorative details;
* Group value: with the Church of St James and the churchyard entrance archway, both Grade II.
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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