Summary
A stone war memorial of 1919 date.
Description
A war memorial of 1919 date.
MATERIALS: constructed of stone.
DESCRIPTION: comprising an elaborately carved stone urn, surmounted by a wreath, set atop a tall circular column with an ornate scrolled capital. A carved stone lion sits at the foot of the column, and both stand on a tall rectangular plinth with step-carved capital and base. The memorial stands on a two-stepped base and is surrounded by a diamond-shaped flowerbed.
The main inscription is to be found on the front of the plinth, facing the road, and comprises a wreath and garland in raised relief with the dates 1914 and 1918, beneath which are the words: IN MEMORY OF/ THE BRAVE MEN/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES FOR THE/ MOTHERLAND IN/ THE GREAT WAR/. The names and dates of death of the First World War fallen are listed on the side faces of the plinth.
On the front face of the base of the plinth is the additional inscription 1939 – 1945, and the names of the Second World War fallen are listed on the front of the upper step of the 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. 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. The memorials, therefore, provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
One such memorial was raised at Chelmondiston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 24 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was constructed by Ipswich builder EE Saunders and dedicated on 22 November 1919 by the Reverend HRP Tringham.
The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Chelmondiston War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* it is 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 column surmounted by an elaborate stone urn and wreath.
External Links
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Recommended Books
London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)