Summary
A First World War memorial, built about 1920; altered after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, built about 1920; altered after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: sandstone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial consists of a Latin cross with a slim carved cross within a recess on its front face. Below this is a foliate relief carving. The memorial stands on a moulded foot, rising from a square plinth with a moulded top and base, standing on a two-stepped polygonal platform. In front of the memorial is a later block set into the steps, with a cross carved into its top face. The inscriptions are carried on relief panels.
The front of the plinth is inscribed: IN/ MEMORY OF/ BRANSTONE MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919/ THEY REST/ IN PEACE. The other faces carry the names of the men who lost their lives in the First World War.
The later block at the foot of the memorial reads: AND/ IN MEMORY OF/ BRANSTONE MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE/ SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945. On the two sides of the black are the names of those who fell in that conflict.
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 09/05/2018
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 750,000 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 Branston, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial commemorates the local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the men who fell in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Branston 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* for its design, a well-executed sandstone cross.
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
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability