Huish Episcopi War Memorial

The Hill, Huish Episcopi, Langport, Somerset

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

First World War Memorial of 1924; further inscription added after the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1423558
Date first listed:: 07-Jan-2015
List Entry Name:: Huish Episcopi War Memorial
Statutory Address:: The Hill, Huish Episcopi, Langport, Somerset

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1423558
Date first listed:: 07-Jan-2015
List Entry Name:: Huish Episcopi War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: The Hill, Huish Episcopi, Langport, Somerset

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:: The Hill, Huish Episcopi, Langport, Somerset

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

District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Huish Episcopi
National Grid Reference:: ST4277326610

Summary

First World War Memorial of 1924; further inscription added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Huish Episcopi war memorial 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 made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: for its poignant and well-executed design.

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 the country. One such memorial was erected in Huish Episcopi to commemorate the fifteen men of the parish who died during the conflict. It was unveiled on 3 August 1924 by Captain Cuthbert Matterson. After the Second World War a further nine names were added in memory of those men who died during the war.

Details

First World War Memorial of 1924; further inscription added after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: it is constructed of coursed local lias stone with rusticated ashlar dressings.

PLAN: it takes the form of semi-circular fronted platform enclosed by a semi-circular wall.

DESCRIPTION: steps rise to a semi-circular fronted platform with a semi-circular back wall that has piers to either end and at the centre. The wall has a stepped, stone plinth which is inscribed: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. Each of the piers has rusticated quoins. The central piers has a stepped top which culminates in a shouldered plaque which carries the dates ‘1914’ and ‘1918’ in bronze lettering and a carved bronze wreath within a recessed circular panel. Below is a bronze plaque which is inscribed: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THE PARISH/ OF HUISH EPISCOPI/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR./ (NAMES). A second plaque is inscribed: NAMES OF THE FALLEN/ 1939-45/ (NAMES). To either side of the central pier is an opening within the wall in the shape of a cross. The flanking piers are each capped with a segmental arch of moulded stone copings and kneelers. Set within the left-hand pier is a stone panel containing a bronze relief carving of the badge of the Somerset Light Infantry. Beneath is a stone sill decorated with guttae, and a bronze plaque inscribed: THEY REST FROM/ THEIR LABOURS. The right-hand pier is similarly styled; its panel carries the Royal coat of arms, and the plaque is inscribed: THEIR NAMES LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: In front of the war memorial are low side walls of stone rubble with regularly-spaced squat stone piers which are linked by chain fencing. There are two further stone piers at the approach to the memorial, also with chain fencing between.

Sources

Books and journals
Seaton, J, Langport & Huish Episcopi Through Time , (2013)
Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 13/01/2015 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/188004
War Memorials Register, accessed 14/11/2014 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/24992

Legal

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