Summary
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Axford War Memorial is located at the roadside on a raised bank at the main entrance to St Michael’s churchyard.
It is of rough-hewn granite and takes the form of a Latin cross with an inverted Sword of Sacrifice carved in relief to the south face. The cross rises from a tapering, four-sided plinth which carries the inscription and names in leaded lettering on smooth, inset panels. The plinth surmounts a two-stepped base on top of a square brick platform, which is built into the slope of the roadside.
The main inscription is to the front (south face) of the plinth and reads, - AXFORD-/ IN REMEMBRANCE/ 1914-18/ TO THEM/ ALL HONOUR AND PEACE.
The names of the fallen are recorded in two groups on the sides of the plinth, six names on the east face and seven names on the west face.
A further inscription is to the rear (north face) of the plinth and reads, 1939-45/ (NAME).
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 erected at Axford as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 13 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was presumably erected not long after the end of the conflict.
The name of the single member of the community who died in the Second World War was subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Axford War Memorial, which is situated at the roadside at the main entrance to St Michael’s churchyard, 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed Latin cross memorial with a fine relief carving of a Sword of Sacrifice.
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
Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
[(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)