Staplecross War Memorial

Northiam Road, Staplecross, East Sussex, TN32 5QB

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Overview

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1436259
Date first listed:: 13-Jul-2016
List Entry Name:: Staplecross War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Northiam Road, Staplecross, East Sussex, TN32 5QB

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1436259
Date first listed:: 13-Jul-2016
List Entry Name:: Staplecross War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Northiam Road, Staplecross, East Sussex, TN32 5QB

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Northiam Road, Staplecross, East Sussex, TN32 5QB

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: East Sussex
District:: Rother (District Authority)
Parish:: Ewhurst
National Grid Reference:: TQ7813522409

Summary

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Staplecross War Memorial, situated at the junction of Forge Lane and Northiam Road, 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: the carved lion on top of the memorial is well executed and striking; * Group value: with a number of surrounding Grade II-listed buildings including The Cross Inn.

History

A meeting of the Ewhurst Post of the Comrades of the Great War in Staplecross held in April 1919 decided that memorials to the fallen of Ewhurst should be erected in both Ewhurst and Staplecross. In Staplecross the land on which to erect a memorial was donated by JJ Crouch, the form of the memorial (which was carved by Alfred Thornton, a monumental mason from Hailsham) being suggested by a local resident. It was unveiled on 15 May 1921 by Lt Col Corrie DSO with Bishop Gregory in attendance, commemorating 21 local servicemen who had died during the First World War.

In 1922 the memorial was enclosed with a spiked chain hung between four stone pillars. Following the Second World War the names of a further nine men who died in that conflict were added.

The memorial in Ewhurst is a cross in the churchyard of St James the Greater: the names of the fallen appear on both memorials – an unusual occurrence.

Details

The memorial stands on the verge at the junction of Forge Lane and Northiam Road. In Portland stone and some 3m high, it comprises a tapered stone column surmounted by a couchant lion baring his teeth. Beneath the lion is a small county shield.

Below the lion is incised THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. On a stone panel and carved in relief on the front face of the column the principal dedicatory inscription reads IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THE PARISH/ OF EWHURST/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918./ (21 NAMES). Below this a later panel reads ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL/ IN THE SECOND GREAT WAR 1939-1945/ (9 NAMES).

There is a small paved surround defined by a chain supported on four low stone pillars.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 1 December 2016.

Sources

Books and journals
Nicholas, Antram, Nikolaus, Pevsner, The Buildings of England Sussex: East, (2012), 628
Websites
Roll of Honour, Sussex - Ewhurst, accessed 14/05/2016 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Sussex/Ewhurst.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 01/12/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/143248
War Memorials Register, accessed 01/12/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/17081
Other
Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 3 May 1919, p3; 3 June 1922, p2
Sussex Agricultural Express 16 April 1920, p10; 7 May 1920, p9; 22 October 1920, p10; 20 May 1921, p9; 16 December 1921, p9; 4 April 1924, p7

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.