Summary
A First World War memorial unveiled in 1921, with additions made after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial unveiled in 1921, with additions made after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial is situated in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I), about 70m south of the church. The memorial is approximately 4.8m tall and is composed of an unadorned cross set upon an octagonal, tapered shaft. The shaft is set onto a square pedestal with chamfered and carved corners and is positioned on a deep, two-stepped plinth.
An inscription is engraved on the west face of the pedestal which reads: IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH/ ALSO/ 1939-1945/ (3 NAMES).
The names of the 35 men who lost their lives in the First World War are engraved on the other three faces of the pedestal.
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 Wortham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was built by J Cooley and Son and was unveiled on 24 July 1921 by Brig-Gen Lord Playfair CVO and dedicated by Rev J F E Fanning. The names of three parishioners who lost their lives during the Second World War were subsequently added.
Reasons for Listing
Wortham War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as a well-executed stone cross.
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.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I).
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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