Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1918, with later additions.
Description
The memorial stands on Shenley Road, close to the Church of St Mary (Grade I-listed) and Grade II-listed buildings including Eagles Wings and Manor Farmhouse. It comprises a York stone tapered pillar with an elaborately decorated entablature supporting a low pyramidal cap. The pillar stands on a two-stepped stone base, raised on a concrete platform.
The inscription to the front face of the pillar reads SHENLEY/ ROLL OF HONOUR/ 1914 – 1919 (46 NAMES). The list of names includes all who served: those who died are indicated with an incised cross. The dedication to the rear face reads IN THE MEMORY OF/ ALL/ WHO DIED IN THE/ SERVICE/ OF THEIR COUNTRY/ 1945 - PRESENT.
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 Shenley as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by four members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was commissioned by Mrs Ada Mary Selby-Lowndes of Whaddon Hall, who unveiled it on 3 August 1918. It was made by William G Wise of Winslow. In addition to those who died, it marks the service of the men who returned from the conflict. The names are slightly out of alphabetical order, because the memorial was erected before the end of the war.
Reasons for Listing
Shenley War Memorial, which stands on Shenley Road, 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 conflicts thereafter.
Architectural interest:
* a striking war memorial in York stone, in the Classical style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade I) and Grade II-listed buildings including Eagles Wings, Manor Farmhouse, and The Dower House.
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
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback