Summary
War memorial, erected in about 1920.
Description
War memorial, erected in about 1920.
MATERIALS: carved from granite with inscriptions in lead lettering.
DESCRIPTION: located in a prominent position at the road junction at the centre of the village of Walkhampton, the memorial comprises a Latin cross of octagonal section standing on a four-stepped octagonal base. The whole stands on an octagonal platform that has been largely concealed by tarmac.
The inscription on the east face of the upper step of the base reads:
TO THE VALOUR AND / DEVOTION OF THE MEN / OF THIS PARISH WHO / FELL IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1919, I STAND / TO BEAR PROUD AND / LASTING WITNESS.
The names, ranks and regiments of the 15 men who died during the war are recorded on the other seven faces of the upper step.
Beneath is the additional inscription:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO / MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / 1939 –1945
The names of the seven men who died in the Second World War are given on the south, west and north face.
To the south side, beneath the recorded name of R F J Martin, is a square granite vase with the inscription:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / OUR BELOVED SON / ROBERT F. J. MARTIN, RN / HMS GLOUCESTER
History
The great age of memorial building was in the aftermath of the First World War 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.
Walkhampton War Memorial was erected in about 1920 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 15 parishioners who died during the First World War.
The names of seven men who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial, along with a stone vase that provides an additional commemoration for R F J Martin.
Reasons for Listing
Walkhampton War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as a well-realised example of a Latin cross type memorial.
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
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.
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