Summary
A First World War memorial dating from around 1920, altered following the Second World War.
Description
A First World War memorial dating from around 1920, altered following the Second World War.
MATERIALS: stone.
DESCRIPTION: The memorial stands in a prominent roadside location at the centre of the village.
The memorial comprises a plain Latin cross with a square pedestal and three-stepped square base. It is carved from pale grey granite.
The main inscription in leaded lettering on the east face of the plinth reads THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY THE/ PARISHIONERS TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN FROM/ THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”.
An additional inscription on the north face of the plinth reads AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE/ OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945/ (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 Much Dewchurch 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 altered following the Second World War, to commemorate those lost in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Much Dewchurch War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* the memorial is a dignified and sombre stone cross, neatly made and well-proportioned.
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact on the local community of the conflicts of the C20.
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
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)