Summary
First World War memorial cross, with Second World War additions.
Description
The grey granite memorial cross is located on the green at the west end of Church Road. Standing in a small railed enclosure, it comprises a rough-hewn wheel-head cross with a sword of sacrifice carved in relief on its face, standing on a tapering plinth with single-stepped base. The lower part of the shaft and the plinth carry the First World War inscriptions in applied metal lettering, whilst the base bears the Second World War addition.
The inscription, beginning on the front face of the cross shaft, reads GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ SACRED TO THE/ MEMORY OF THE/ GALLANT FALLEN/ FROM/ WIMBOTSHAM AND/ STOW BARDOLPH E. The commemorated First World War names are listed in two columns to the front face of the plinth. The later Second World War inscription is recorded on the step below, reading WORLD WAR – 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES).
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 Wimbotsham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 18 members of the local community who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War, the names of three local servicemen who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Wimbotsham and Stow Bardolph War Memorial, which stands c30m north-east of Wimbotsham and Stow Community School, 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 simple yet poignant granite memorial cross, in the Celtic style.
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
Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair