Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The memorial stands on a small grassed area on the main road through the village, outside the entrance gate to the Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade II*) and opposite Crescent Cottage and Vine Cottage (both Grade II). It comprises a granite Latin cross standing on a rough-hewn, tapering, plinth set on a square stone base. The surfaces of the front face of both the plinth and the base are dressed smooth, within which the inscriptions are recorded in black-painted incised lettering.
Incised at the bottom of the cross shaft are the dates 1914–1918. On the front face of the plinth the principal dedicatory inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WARS/ (20 NAMES)/ "THEY MADE THE GREAT SACRIFICE." On the front of the base the later inscription reads 1939-1945/ (9 NAMES).
The whole memorial stands on a large slab laid flush with the ground surface and it is surrounded on three sides by a low box hedge. The front of the memorial faces the main road and is approached by a flight of steps.
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 Figheldean as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 20 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of nine parishioners who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Figheldean War Memorial, which stands on the High Street, 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 simple yet poignant war memorial cross in granite.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade II*), Crescent Cottage (Grade II) and Vine Cottage (Grade II).
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
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)