Summary

First World War stone cross war memorial, set on a plinth. Second World War inscriptions added later.

Description

First World War stone cross war memorial, set on a plinth. Second World War inscriptions added later.

Materials: stone cross war memorial.

Description: decorated cross with Christ sculpture, atop a tall an octagonal shaft, the upper most part of which is decorated with a band of carved roses. This rests on a three-step octagonal plinth.

Inscription: the upper and lower tiers of the memorial bear the following inscriptions: Front upper: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN / THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY / DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS; front lower: + IN MEMORY OF THE MEN / FROM PUTNEY WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT & VICTORIOUS WAR; right upper: 1939 - 1945 / IN HONOURED MEMORY OF; right lower: THE CIVILIANS OF PUTNEY / WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN / THE SECOND WORLD WAR; back lower: TO THOSE THAT PAID / THE ULTIMATE PRICE IN / ALL WARS AND CONFLICTS; left upper: 1939 - 1945 / THE SECOND WORLD WAR / IN HONOURED MEMORY OF and left lower: MEN AND WOMEN OF PUTNEY / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES SERVING / IN HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES.

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 in Putney as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. It was erected 16 June 1921 in a ceremony led by Field Commander Sir William Robinson, GCB and attended by Rev. HE Bamforth and the relatives of the Fallen. Further inscriptions were added at some point after the Second World War. In 2005 it was moved from the churchyard to its present location in Church Square.

Reasons for Listing

Putney 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 the local community, and the sacrifices they made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* As a dignified and imposing stone cross war memorial.

* Group value: with the adjacent Grade II* listed St Mary's Church.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q61409495

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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