Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade I-listed), facing The Avenue. It is a 5.3m tall cross built in a white stone, partially encircled by three low walls of brick and stone. The cross has a four-stepped octagonal base with a small octagonal pedestal. The tapering cross shaft supports a foliated cross head.
The east and west faces of the pedestal are inscribed with incised lettering. On the east side this reads: LIVE THOU/ FOR/ ENGLAND/ WE FOR ENGLAND DIED. On the west side the inscription is: ERECTED IN/ HONOUR OF THE/ MEN OF FRISKNEY/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
Behind the memorial, to the west, there are three low walls with brick plinths and stone blind arcades, within which are carved the names, place of death and dates of those from the parish who died. The curved wall immediately behind the memorial was erected with the memorial, with the two flanking walls added after the Second World War.
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 26/10/2017
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. 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Friskney 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 20 March 1921. It was designed by Mrs Edith Marian Cheales, wife of Reverend John Pacey Cheales. Following a muffled peal of the church bells parishioners and relatives of those who had died attended a service at the church, before proceeding to the memorial led by the Friskney Brass Band and the church choir. The memorial was unveiled by Captain SV Hotchkin MP. The names of the fallen were read out by ex-serviceman James William Clarke, the first from the village to volunteer. As each of the 15 names were called a child relative laid a wreath against the name and repeated the words “He died for his country”. After the Second World War two small enclosing walls were added behind the memorial, bearing the names of those who had died in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Friskney War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* As an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
Architectural interest:
* An elegant memorial cross with enclosing memorial walls, all in the Gothic style;
Group value:
* With the Church of All Saints (Grade I), the Grade I-listed and scheduled churchyard cross, and other Grade II-listed buildings in the environs.
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
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
For the Record
Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)