Summary
A First World War memorial unveiled in 1922, with additions made after the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial unveiled in 1922, with additions made after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: the memorial is constructed of rough-hewn Cornish Granite, and is inset with leaded lettering.
PLAN: the memorial is composed of a square-sided column standing on a square, tiered
plinth and base.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial is situated on the west side of Main Road, north of the junction with Coalpit Lane. It stands above road level within an enclosed, square garden retained on the south and east side with stone walls and wrought iron railings. The garden is accessed by a set of concrete steps to its south side.
The memorial takes the form of a freestanding cross, approximately 4m high, with truncated arms and a tapering shaft. The east face of the cross bears the Sword of Sacrifice carved in relief. Inscriptions are inset into the east face of the plinth. The top tier reads: ‘IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FOUGHT AND IN EVER GRATEFUL/ REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE/ WHO FELL FOR GOD AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914-1918.’ The names of nineteen men are inset on the tier below. The lower tier features the words ‘SEE YE TO IT THAT THESE SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN’. At the foot of the memorial is a rectangular plaque in rough-hewn stone with a square panel inscribed with the dates 1939-1945 above the names of ten men.
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 8 March 2022 to update text and reformat to current standards
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 the official policy of not repatriating the dead. Therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
Brereton War Memorial was raised 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 unveiled on the 12 November 1922 by Colonel W A Wetherall CBE of Rugeley and dedicated by Rev G Lampard and Rev R Fuller, Vicar of Brereton. The names of a further ten parishioners were added to the memorial after the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Brereton 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:
* as a well-executed stone cross featuring the Sword of Sacrifice.
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
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
For the Record