Summary
War memorial crafted by Mawer Bros of Louth and unveiled in 1920, dedicated to members of the local community who served and lost their lives in the First World War, and later the Second World War.
Description
War memorial crafted by Mawer Bros of Louth and unveiled in 1920, dedicated to members of the local community who served and lost their lives in the First World War, and later the Second World War.
MATERIALS: The memorial is crafted from granite.
DESCRIPTION: It takes the form of a Celtic cross with a raised knotwork design on the cross head and shaft, and stands on a tapered rough-hewn plinth. The west elevation of the plinth bears the following painted inscription: 'SACRED TO THE MEMORY / OF / (5 NAMES) / OF COVENHAM ST BART’S, / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR, / 1914-1919. / “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN / THAN THIS.” ' The north and south elevations of the plinth bear the inscribed and painted names of 18 residents of the village who served in the First World War. At the foot of the west elevation of the memorial a smooth granite slab was later added and bears the following painted inscription: 'ALSO / 1914 -1918 / (2 NAMES) / 1939 -1945 / (2 NAMES)'. The memorial stands on a square-plan concrete base, and is bounded by a stone kerb with a metal post and rail dwarf fence. The memorial stands within the churchyard of the Church of St Bartholomew (listed at Grade II*).
History
The aftermath of the First World War was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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.
One such memorial was raised at Covenham St Bartholomew as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by members of the local community who both served and lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was paid for by public subscription, and crafted and erected by Mawer Bros of Louth. It was unveiled on 12 September 1920, commemorating five individuals who fell in the First World War, and 18 who served in the conflict, including one woman, Sister Lamming. A granite slab was later added at the foot of the west elevation to include four additional names, two who served in the First World War, and two who served in the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Covenham St Bartholomew War Memorial, crafted by Mawer Bros of Louth, unveiled in 1920, and dedicated to members of the local community who served and lost their lives in the First World War, and later the Second World War, 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 sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a richly-carved and well-executed memorial.
Group value:
* for the strong group value the war memorial holds with nearby listed buildings, including the Church of St Bartholomew (listed at Grade II*), and neighbouring Haith’s Farm House (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
Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
For the Record