Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled in December 1921.
Description
First World War memorial, 1921.
DESCRIPTION: Denston War Memorial is located on the village green at the centre of the village, and is close to several Grade II-listed buildings, including the Post Office and Stores and Cherry Tree Cottage.
It is of limestone and comprises a small wheel-head pointed cross above an elaborately carved collar on a tapering hexagonal shaft. This rises from a hexagonal plinth with sloping cap and moulded foot. The whole stands on a single-stepped, square stone base.
The plinth carries the principal inscription and the names in incised lettering. The east face of the plinth reads TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918. The inscription continues on the west face of plinth and reads BUT THE MEN/ WERE VERY GOOD/ UNTO US AND WE/ WERE NOT HURT/ THEY WERE A WALL/ UNTO US BOTH BY/ NIGHT AND DAY.
The names of the 11 men who died during the First World War are inscribed on the four other faces of the plinth.
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 Denston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 11 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled in December 1921 by Mr A G Dunn-Gardner and dedicated by the vicar, Reverend A McKechnie.
At one stage the memorial was enclosed by railings but these have since been removed.
Reasons for Listing
Denston War Memorial, which is situated on the village green, 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.
Architectural interest:
* an elegant wheel-head cross memorial.
Group value:
* with the nearby Grade II-listed buildings, including the Post Office and Stores and Cherry Tree Cottage.
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
Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)