Summary
A First World War memorial, unveiled September 1920, with later addition for the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, unveiled September 1920, with later addition for the Second World War.
MATERIAL
Darley Dale stone.
DESCRIPTION
The memorial stands in a prominent position in the village, and is set back from the road. It stands upon a paved area and takes the form of a simple Latin cross with a carved foot on a tall plinth with a moulded top and a three-stepped square base. The front (south-east) face of the plinth has a bronze plaque which is inscribed: “LEST WE FORGET”/ ERECTED 1920/ TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE FROM/ THE PARISH OF WORTHEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (NAMES). Below is a second plaque which reads: THIS TABLET IS ADDED/ IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1938-1945/ (NAMES).
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES
In front of the memorial are painted iron railings and a pedestrian gate.
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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
One such memorial was raised at Worthen as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 28 members of the parish who lost their lives in the First World War. It was made by local builders Mr JA Morris and Mr EJ Blakemore and was unveiled by Brigadier General AHO Lloyd of the Shropshire Yeomanry on 19 September 1920. The names of the two local men died during the Second World War were later added to the memorial and it was re-dedicated in 1949.
Reasons for Listing
Worthen War Memorial 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 simple, but well-executed Latin cross.
Group value:
*with several nearby listed buildings, including the Old White House and the Corner House which are both listed at 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
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)