Summary

War memorial erected in 1922.

Description

Tall stone cross, sitting on a platform atop a plinth; the bottom of the shaft's front face is inscribed "1914 / 1918". The platform bears inscriptions on each side; these read - front: IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF / BEARWOOD WHO SACRIFICED / THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR; right: THEREFORE SHALL / THEY RECEIVE; back: A GLORIOUS KINGDOM AND / A BEAUTIFUL CROWN; and left: THE LORD'S HAND / WISDOM V 16. The faces of the plinth each bear the names of the Fallen. All inscriptions are partially eroded and difficult to read. The plinth stands on a two-step base.

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, 28 July 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 the country, 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 St Mary's Church in Bearwood in 1922, paid for by local subscription, as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. At some point after its erection the memorial was moved by the then Smethwick Borough Council as part of a road widening scheme. Its current ownership is unknown (2017).

Reasons for Listing

Bearwood 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 it made in the First World War;
* Design: as a dignified and imposing stone cross war memorial.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478763

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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