Summary
War memorial of roughly hewn stone.
Description
Tall obelisk of roughly hewn stone; at the bottom of the front face is a shield bearing the inscription: IN EVERLASTING AND / GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE / OF THE MEN / OF WOODHAM FERRERS / WHO SERVED DURING / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1919. It splays onto a capital, below which is a plinth; the front face of this reads "OUR GLORIOUS DEAD", below which are the names of the Fallen; further names are on the other three sides. The plinth rests on a three-step base of roughly hewn stone.
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 Woodham Ferrers as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. It was presumably erected at some point after 1918/9.
Reasons for Listing
Woodham Ferrers 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;
* Architectural interest: as a dignified and imposing stone obelisk war memorial;
* Group value: with the adjacent Grade I-listed St Mary's Church and the adjacent Grade II-listed Church Cottage and Keepers Cottage.
External Links
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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)