Summary

First World War memorial.

Description

First World War memorial.

MATERIALS: carved from granite.

DESCRIPTION: a three-tiered plinth on a square base. The plinth is topped by a square shaft and a cross. On the north side of the cross is a stone figurine of Jesus Christ at the Crucifixion; the scene is topped by an INRI title. The plinth below bears a dedication in raised lettering that reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ ALAN HAMILTON ROSS// WHO FELL IN FRANCE JULY 15TH 1916/ AND HIS FRIEND GERARD KINGSLEY WEBBER/ 10TH ROYAL FUSILIERS/ AND ALL THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE/ WHO FELL DURING THE GREAT WAR// IN PACE.

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, 24 November 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Beckington 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 cross within the churchyard of the Church of St George is principally dedicated to two servicemen, Alan Hamilton Ross and Gerard Kingsley Webber. The dedication also includes a commemoration to all the men in the village of Beckington who died during the First World War. The other Fallen parishioners are not named on the memorial; however, a plaque attached to the church lists the names of those who died during the 1914-1919 conflict.

Reasons for Listing

The war memorial in the churchyard of the Church of St George in Beckington is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: constructed principally as a memorial to two individual soldiers, its dedication also remembers all of the village's men who died during the First World War; it is 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: it is an elegant granite cross given an added level of decoration through the sculptural detailing at the top;
* Group value: with the Church of St George (Grade I) and two tombs within the churchyard (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478662

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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