Summary
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a small hedged memorial garden on the junction of the A4110 and Kings Road, close to The Cottage (Grade II) and its associated barn (Grade II).
The memorial comprises a plain Latin cross on a tapering octagonal shaft with a substantial square plinth and three-stepped octagonal base.
The main inscription in incised lettering on the plinth reads: (north-east face) ERECTED/ TO THE MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF CANON PYON/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914–1919/ (north-west face) (7 NAMES)/ (south-west face) (3 NAMES)/ IN THE HAND OF GOD NO TORMENT/ SHALL TOUCH THEM/ (south-east face) (7 NAMES).
An additional inscription on the upper step reads: (north-east face) 1939–1945/ (1 NAME)/ (north-west face) (2 NAMES)/ (south-east face) (2 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 Canon Pyon as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The names of five parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Canon Pyon War Memorial, which stands the junction of the A4110 and Kings 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 this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as an elegant and well-executed slender Latin cross.
Group value:
* with The Cottage (Grade II) and its associated barn (Grade II).
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
Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability