Summary
First World War memorial, 1919.
Description
First World War memorial, 1919.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent roadside location just inside the main entrance to the churchyard, close to the Church of St Nicholas (Grade II*) and within the same churchyard as the base of a churchyard cross (Grade II) and the Spencer monument (Grade II).
The memorial comprises a stone Celtic wheel-head cross on a tapering rectangular plinth with a two-stepped base. The face of the cross is decorated with relief-carved interlace.
The main inscription in leaded lettering on the front of the plinth reads: IN SACRED MEMORY OF THE/ SEVEN SUTTON HEROES/ WHO FELL IN OUR VICTORIOUS/ WAR WITH GERMANY 1914–1919/ (7 NAMES)/ “THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT”/ ECCLES. 44.13/ (ERECTED BY PARISHIONERS, 1919).
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 Sutton St Nicholas as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by seven members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial was erected by the parishioners of Sutton St Nicholas in 1919.
Reasons for Listing
Sutton St Nicholas War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Nicholas, 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 a well-executed wheel-head cross with carved decorative details.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Nicholas (Grade II*), the base of a medieval churchyard cross (Grade II) and the Spencer monument (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
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
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Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)