Summary
A First World War memorial, designed by sculptor William G Storr Barber, erected in 1919; altered by the addition of further names following the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, designed by sculptor William G Storr Barber, erected in 1919; altered by the addition of further names following the Second World War.
MATERIALS
Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION
The memorial takes the form of a statue of a First World War infantry soldier with head bowed, holding an inverted rifle and helmet, standing on a high, square-section stone plinth on a two-stepped square stone platform.
The main inscription in incised lettering on the west face of the plinth reads:
THE GREAT WAR/ 1914–1918/ THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED BY THE/ GRATEFUL PARISH OF ALMELEY TO/ COMMEMORATE THE NAMES OF ITS/ FAITHFUL SONS WHO FOUGHT AND/ DIED FOR ENGLAND AND LIBERTY/ (19 NAMES)/.
An additional inscription on the upper step of the base reads: ALSO/ 1939–1945/ (6 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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
One such memorial was raised at Almeley as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was designed by William G Storr Barber (sculptor) of Leominster, who erected similar memorials at nearby New Radnor and Dilwyn and designed the Royal Marines memorial on Plymouth Hoe. The memorial was unveiled on 11 August 1919 by Major-General Sir Elliott Wood.
The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Almeley 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 the church’s community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* for its design, a well-executed inscribed pedestal surmounted by the poignant sculpted figure of a First World War infantry soldier.
Group value:
* with Church House Barn (Grade II), the Church of St Mary (Grade I), a churchyard cross (Grade II), a water pump (Grade II) and Almeley House (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
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)