Summary
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS: constructed of stone with iron railings set within a concrete base.
DESCRIPTION: comprising an elaborate floriated cross with a diamond-shaped piercing through its centre, on a tapering four-sided shaft with a sword of sacrifice carved in relief to the front face. The shaft stands on a square plinth with a moulded cap and foot on a two-stepped base. The plinth bears inscriptions carved in relief and reads: IN MEMORY OF THOSE/ FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918// 1915/ (NAMES)// 1916 - 17/ (NAMES)// 1918/ (NAMES)// 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES).
The cross stands within an enclosure with decorative iron railings set in a concrete base.
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. One such memorial was raised at Wighton in around 1920 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 14 local servicemen who fell in the First World War. It is shown on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1928. The memorial was later altered to recognise the five men of this parish who fell in the Second World War.
The memorial stands on a triangular green where, in 1987, the remnant of a possible medieval wayside cross were recorded. The cross was damaged during a storm in the late C20, and repaired. In 2019 the memorial was cleaned and restored.
Reasons for Listing
Wighton 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 local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* it is a well-detailed war memorial in the form of a stone cross.
Group value:
* it has group value with Hall Farmhouse and its walls and gateway (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
ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)