Summary
A First World War Memorial unveiled in 1920, with additions made after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War Memorial unveiled in 1920, with additions made after the Second World War.
MATERIALS AND PLAN: the memorial is octagonal on plan and is constructed from finely carved stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands on a small triangular green to the east of the church of Edwardstone, at the north end of Sherbourne Street. The memorial is approximately 2.5m tall and takes the form of a calvary cross depicting Christ’s crucifiction beneath a stone gable decorated with carved rosettes. The cross has an octagonal footed shaft with a scroll bearing the letters ‘INRI’ set above the figure of Christ. There is a shield containing the Christogram, ‘IHS’ at his feet. The cross stands on a three-stepped octagonal plinth with a paved surround. It is enclosed by a hooped iron fence.
The main inscription is incised at the base of the cross shaft and on the north-west, west and south-west faces of the plinth. Cross shaft: IM/ OF/. Top step: EDWARDSTONE/ MEN WHO DIED/ FOR ENGLAND/ 1914 – 1919/ THEY LOVED/ NOT THEIR LIFE EVEN/ UNTO DEATH/. Middle step: (14 NAMES). Bottom step: ALL THANKS TO HIM/ WHO ON THE CROSS ON HIGH/ DIDST TEACH HIS BRETHREN AND INSPIRE/ TO SUFFER AND TO DIE/.
The additional inscription, 1939 – 1945, is carved on the north face of the upper step, with the two names of those who lost their lives in the Second World War given on the north face of the second step.
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 Edwardstone as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 14 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was carved by Farmer and Brindley of London, engraved by F J Lindley and erected by Frederick Kingsbury. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 14 March 1920 by Canon G Hodges, Archdeacon of Sudbury.
The names of the two parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Edwardstone War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as an elegantly carved war memorial taking the form of a calvary cross, executed by the nationally renowned firm of architectural sculptors Farmer & Brindley Ltd.
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.
External Links
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Recommended Books
Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)