Summary
War memorial dedicated to the fallen of the First and Second World Wars, unveiled in 1920, executed by Gething & Co Ltd.
Reasons for Designation
Knebworth war memorial, unveiled in 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 has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Group Value: for its strong group value it holds with Knebworth House, a Grade II* listed mansion, the associated Grade II* registered park and garden and by its positioning between twin late-C19 Jubilee gate lodges (listed at Grade II);
* Artistic interest: for its artistic detailing, including a carved lantern of the Christ on Calvary and Madonna and Child.
History
The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Prior to then memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, which was the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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.
Details
Knebworth War Memorial was executed by Gething & Co. Ltd c 1920 in limestone. The memorial consists of an octagonal pillar with an ornate carved lantern featuring depictions of Christ on Calvary and Madonna and Child. The pillar stands on a square plinth and stepped base inscribed with the names of the fallen. There are thirty two names of those that fell in the First World War, to which twenty four names were added following the end of the 1939-1945 conflict. A further twelve names of those that fell in the First World War were added in 2013. The memorial is enclosed by a low plinth wall with flat limestone coping, with openings to the north-west and south-east elevations.
End of official list entry
