Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled c 1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

First World War memorial, unveiled c 1920, with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: of sandstone.

PLAN: it is square on plan.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Thomas, c 4m to the north-west of the nave. It takes the form of a simple Latin cross and comprises a two-step base, a cruciform plinth with gabled caps and a tall shaft which tapers in octagonal section to Latin cross head set above a moulded knop. A plaque on the north-west face of the plinth is inscribed with the First World War dedication and reads 'TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND / IN MEMORY / OF / THE MEN FROM THIS / CHURCH AND PARISH, / WHO FELL / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918. / DYING, AND BEHOLD WE LIVE'. Plaques on the remaining faces bear the names of the men who died, listed in alphabetical order. One of the name plaques has been removed following damage and is now stored in the church. The plaque on the south-east face commemorates those who died in the Second World War.

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, 26 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 erected in St Thomas's churchyard in the Pear Tree area of Derby to commemorate the 166 men of the church and parish who died during the conflict. Following the Second World War the names of 12 local men who fought and died during this conflict were added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

The war memorial in the churchyard of St Thomas the Apostle, Derby, unveiled c 1920, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;

* Design interest: as an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form of a Latin cross;

* Group value: through proximity with the Church of St Thomas the Apostle (listed Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677939

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

• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)