Summary

First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

The memorial is situated on a raised dais beyond the chancel of the church of the Holy Trinity (Grade II-listed), accessed by a flight of seven semicircular steps from the lower ground of the churchyard and enclosed by retaining walls to either side. Built in York stone, it comprises a Latin cross rising from a square plinth that stands on a two-stepped square base. The front and rear faces of the foot of the cross shaft feature a carving of a wreath, each wreath enclosing the letters RIP. The shaft rises from a small, square, block, each corner of which is clasped by winged cherubs.

The inscriptions are on metal plaques fixed to the plinth:

(east face) THIS CROSS IS ERECTED/ BY THE INHABITANTS OF EDALE/ TO THE GLORY OF ALMIGHTY GOD/ & IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF/ THIS PARISH, WHO FOUGHT, & IN/ EVER GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE/ INSCRIBED ON THE CROSS, WHO/ FELL FOR GOD, AND KING, FOR/ RIGHT, FOR FREEDOM, AND FOR/ PEACE, IN THE/ 1914 GREAT WAR 1919.

(west face) REMEMBER/ (13 NAMES)/ SEE YE TO IT THAT THESE SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN.

(south face) 1939 – 1945 (1 NAME)

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 25 January 2017.

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. One such memorial was raised at Edale to commemorate the parishioners who served during the conflict. It is believed that the memorial was funded by the father of one of the commemorated men. A contemporary Roll of Honour, listing the names of all of those who served and annotated to indicate those that died, hangs inside the church.

A plaque for the Second World War was added after the end of that conflict. Conservation and repairs, including re-pointing and resetting some of the stonework, was carried out in 2010, funded by War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

Edale War Memorial, situated in the churchyard of the church of the Holy Trinity, 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: an elegant cross on a large dais, carefully positioned outside the east end of the church;
* Group value: with the Grade II-listed church of the Holy Trinity.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Edale War Memorial at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q26677641

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

• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)