Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 5 March 1921, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Limpley Stoke War Memorial stands in the centre of the village on the western side of Middle Stoke road opposite 32 Middle Stoke; it is close to 28, 33 and 36 Middle Stoke (all Grade II-listed).
It takes the form of a rough rectangular stone, set upright on its short edge, with two brass plaques attached to its eastern face. The larger plaque has a curved top and is set into a fielded panel on the memorial. It features a laurel wreath in relief around the words ROLL/ OF/ HONOUR, above a scroll containing the words LIMPLEY STOKE. Beneath this is the dedication, THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR OF 1914–18/ (9 NAMES)/ THESE GAVE THEIR SERVICE/ (54 NAMES).
A second rectangular plaque has been added beneath the first with the inscription, ALSO/ IN MEMORY OF/ (NAME)/ 1939 – 45.
The memorial rises from a narrow plinth of rough-dressed stone set in three courses. The whole stands on a platform of rubble-coursed stone with a short flight of steps leading from the road to the memorial. At the north-west and south-east corners of the platform are short, square pillars of similar construction.
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 raised at Limpley Stoke as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on Saturday 5 March 1921 by Brigadier-General G Palmer MP and commemorates the nine men who died in the conflict as well as the 54 men who returned. The land for the memorial was donated by Limpley Stoke Manor.
A second plaque was subsequently added to the memorial in dedication to the parishioner who fell during the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Limpley Stoke War Memorial, which is situated on the western side of Middle Stoke road opposite No 32 Middle Stoke, 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 monolith memorial.
Group value:
* with 28, 33 and 36 Middle Stoke (all Grade II-listed).
External Links
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Recommended Books
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)