Summary
A war memorial, architect unknown, constructed circa 1920.
Reasons for Designation
The war memorial at Lower Brailes 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 community;
* Architectural interest: for the quality of the design and craftsmanship of this sombre and dignified memorial;
* Group value: with the Church of St George (Grade I), below which it stands.
History
The war memorial was erected circa 1920, in a very prominent location, at the heart of the village of Lower Brailes, on a green in front of the lych gate to the Church of St George, whose pinnacled tower rises behind the memorial. It serves the parish of Brailes, which comprises the adjacent villages of Lower and Upper Brailes, and nearby Winderton. Originally set up to honour the Fallen of the First World War, the memorial was altered after the Second World War by the addition of the details of the men who lost their lives in that conflict.
Details
A war memorial, architect unknown, constructed in 1920.
MATERIALS: the memorial is constructed from sandstone.
PLAN: the platform on which the memorial stands is octagonal in shape, circa 1.5m across.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a floriated cross with cusped arms and circular embellishments, set on a cap to a slender, tapering, octagonal shaft. The shaft is set into a moulded base on a tall, rectangular plinth with neatly-moulded and recessed corners. The plinth sits on an octagonal platform of three steps. There are inscriptions in a neat Serif font, picked out in black lettering. The south face of the base is inscribed: TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY / OF THOSE WHO LAID DOWN / THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 / FROM THE PARISH OF / BRAILES AND WINDERTON. Below this text the names of the Fallen are given (15 in number). Following the list of the Fallen is inscribed: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN / THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN / HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS / S. JOHN XV 13. Moving anti-clockwise, the next face is inscribed with the dates 1939-1945 and below this, the names of those who lost their lives in the Second World War (three in number). Following the list of names is inscribed: THESE MEN ALSO MADE THE SUPREME / SACRIFICE LAYING DOWN THEIR LIVES / THAT WE MAY LIVE.
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, 17 January 2017.
