Summary
A First World War memorial, erected in about 1920; altered by the addition of further names following the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial, erected in about 1920; altered by the addition of further names following the Second World War.
MATERIALS
Rough-faced granite.
DESCRIPTION
The memorial takes the form of a Cross of Sacrifice: a plain, Latin cross with a sword incised into the east face. The cross is set on a tapering shaft on a slightly tapering square pedestal with a four-stepped base.
The main inscription in white lettering on a bronze panel attached to the east face of the plinth reads: IN HONOUR OF THE MEN FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR 1914–1918./ (23 NAMES)/ “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE” ECCLUS. 44.14.
A further inscription in white lettering on a bronze panel attached to the second step of the platform reads: ALSO IN THE WAR 1939–1945/ (9 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 Weston under Penyard as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by twenty-three members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The names of nine parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Weston under Penyard 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 rugged granite Cross of Sacrifice with bronze plaques.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Lawrence (Grade II*), in whose churchyard it stands, and five chest tombs in the churchyard (Grade II), with which it forms a poignant commemorative grouping.
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
Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)