Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

This 3m high wheel-head cross is located in front of the churchyard gates, facing onto Daggons Road. It stands within a small, square, flower bed on a lawn to the west of the Church of St James (Grade II).

The Cornish granite cross, roughly hewn, has a tapered shaft rising from a tapering plinth, that stands on a square concrete base. The front face of the plinth is smoothed and slightly recessed to take the dedication and names, which are of leaded lettering. The First World War dedication is located on the south face of the plinth, reading TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO/ DIED IN THE GREAT WAR./ 1914 – 1918/ (18 NAMES). A further dedication to the fallen of the Second World War is recorded on the east face, reading 1939 – 1945/ (6 NAMES).

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 Alderholt as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on Sunday 19 September 1920, commemorating 18 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of 6 men who died in that conflict were added.

Reasons for Listing

Alderholt War Memorial Cross, which stands c20m to the west of the St James’ Church, 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 has made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* a simple yet poignant granite wheel-head cross in the Celtic style.

Group value: with the Church of St James (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478865

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

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)