Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 1924.

Description

The memorial stands in The Square, in close proximity to the Church of St James (Grade II*-listed) and the Grade II-listed Blacksmith’s Cottage. It takes the form of a c3m tall wheel-head cross in Cornish granite. The cross rises from a plinth, square on plan, which stands on a low step. A reversed sword is carved in low relief to the front of the cross. The memorial is surrounded by 8 low granite posts that used to carry a spiked chain.

The inscription to the front face of the plinth reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN EVER BLESSED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ (8 NAMES).

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 2 March 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. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Ashreigney as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

In 1924 the parish war memorial committee applied to Torrington District Council for permission to erect a memorial in the centre of the village. The new memorial cross was unveiled by the Dean of Exeter in November of that year at a well-attended ecumenical ceremony. The memorial commemorates 8 local servicemen who died in the First World War.

Reasons for Listing

Ashreigney War Memorial, which stands in The Square, 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 local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant memorial cross in the Celtic style;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Church of St James and the Grade II-listed Blacksmith’s Cottage.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478539

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

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