Bolsterstone War Memorial, Stocksbridge, Sheffield

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 16 May 1920, with additions for later conflicts.

Description

First World War memorial, 1920, with additions for later conflicts.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located within the churchyard to the south of the Church of St Mary (Grade II-listed), facing the main road through the village.

It takes the form of a tall, Saxon-style wheel-head cross rising from a three-stepped, square plinth, which surmounts a narrow stone base. The cross and shaft have ornate interlacing knot work designs carved in relief to inset panels to the east face; a raised circular boss is to the centre of the cross-head. The inscriptions and names are in incised lettering to the plinth.

The principal inscription is to the east face of the upper step of the plinth and reads, THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN PROUD AND/ LOVING MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR THEIR/ KING AND COUNTRY./ “THE MEN WERE VERY GOOD UNTO US AND WE/ WERE NOT HURT…. THEY WERE A WALL UNTO/ US BOTH BY NIGHT AND DAY.”/ I.SAM.XXV.V.15.16. The names of the 48 fallen, including their regiment and date of death, are recorded on the east face of the middle and lower step of the plinth and the north and south faces of the middle step.

To the west face of the upper-step is the inscription REMEMBER ALL KILLED/ IN LATER CONFLICTS/ AND HERE ESPECIALLY. The step below carries five names; three were casualties from the Second World War and two from later conflicts. The west face of the lower step bears the name of the stonemason, DAVID BREARLEY AND SONS.

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 Bolsterstone 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 erected by Messrs David Brearley and Sons at a cost of £300, which was raised by public subscription. The memorial was unveiled on 16 May 1920 by Mr R H R Rimington Wilson and the dedication was undertaken by the Bishop of Sheffield.

The memorial originally commemorated 31 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Seventeen names have since been added to the First World War casualties, including men who died after the Armistice. Five other names were added to the war memorial for later conflicts.

Reasons for Listing

Bolsterstone War Memorial, which is situated in St Mary’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 First World War and later conflicts.

Architectural interest:

* an elegant Saxon-style wheel-head cross memorial, which demonstrates fine craftsmanship in the ornately carved interlacing knot work designs.

Group value:

* with the Grade II-listed Church of St Mary.

External Links

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