Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 29 August 1919.

Description

First World War memorial, 1919.

DESCRIPTION: Askham Bryan war memorial is located in the parish churchyard to the south-west of the Church of St Nicholas (Grade I-listed) and adjacent to the main path to the church.

It is of Portland stone, and takes the form of a tall Latin cross with moulded foot, rising from a square plinth, which surmounts a single-step, square base. The south-west face of the cross-head and shaft are decorated with an ornate Celtic knot work design carved in relief. The cross-head has cusped projections at the right-angles between the cross-arms, which are also decorated with the knot work design. To the centre of the cross-head is a carved symbol of a cross within a circle. The plinth carries the inscriptions and names in incised lettering, painted black.

The principal inscription is to the north-west face and reads, TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ WHO GIVETH US THE VICTORY/ AND IN EVER THANKFUL/ MEMORY OF ALL IN THIS/ PARISH WHO SERVED/ THEIR COUNTRY/ ESPECIALLY THOSE HERE/ RECORDED WHO FELL/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919. The eight names of those from the parish who died in the First World War are recorded on the south-west face, arranged by regiment and include their rank and age. A further inscription is written on the south-east face, which reads “GREATER LOVE HATH/ NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN/ LAY DOWN HIS LIFE/ FOR HIS FRIENDS”.

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 Askham Bryan as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the eight members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled on 29 August 1919 and the ceremony was attended by Bishop Suffragan of Beverley. It cost just over £114.

Reasons for Listing

Askham Bryan War Memorial, which is situated in St Nicholas’ 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.

Architectural interest:

* an elegant Latin cross memorial demonstrating fine craftsmanship in the relief carved Celtic knot work design to the cross and shaft.

Group value:

* with the Church of St Nicholas (Grade I-listed).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479523

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

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  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
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  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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