Rugby School War Memorial

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Overview

A memorial cross, of 1920, designed by Sir Charles Nicholson. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1423771
Date first listed:: 27-Jan-2015
List Entry Name:: Rugby School War Memorial

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1423771
Date first listed:: 27-Jan-2015
List Entry Name:: Rugby School War Memorial
Location Description:: Corner of Lawrence Sheriff Street and Little Church Street, Rugby, Warwickshire

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

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

County:: Warwickshire
District:: Rugby (District Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: SP5035374984

Summary

A memorial cross, of 1920, designed by Sir Charles Nicholson.

Reasons for Designation

The War Memorial Cross at Rugby School is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Architectural interest: the monument is the work of the noted architect, Sir Charles Nicholson, and is typical of his understated style of design. * 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; * Group value: the cross stands in a conspicuous place in Rugby and has a strong relationship with several of the most prominent C19 school buildings.

History

The monument was unveiled on 19 June 1920 by Lieutenant-General Sir Montague Harper. The inscription on the monument refers to the Memorial Chapel, also designed by Sir Charles Nicholson, which was built to the south of Butterfield’s school chapel, and opened in 1922. Nicholson submitted designs for both in 1919 and a memorial fund for the two structures and associated scholarships, raised £50,000. Six hundred and eighty two former pupils of Rugby School died in the First World War, and more than a thousand in both world conflicts, including the war poets Rupert Brooke (1887-1915) and John Gillespie Magee Jr. (1922-1941).

Details

A memorial cross, of 1920, designed by Sir Charles Nicholson.

MATERIALS: of Clipsham stone, hexagonal in section with a lantern head, shaft, plinth and stepped platform.

DESCRIPTION: the head is in the form of a lantern, with alternating openings and closed panels which have a cross motif superimposed. All have moulded, ogee heads and gablets. Above this, the monument is crowned by a crocketed pinnacle. The shaft is gradually tapered and has a moulded base with broaches. The plinth has a cavetto moulding to the top and a chamfered base. To its south side is inscribed ‘IN REMEMBRANCE / OF OUR DEAD / 1914 – 1919 / THEIR NAMES ARE RECORDED / IN THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL’. Below this the plinth has four hexagonal steps.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. 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.

Sources

Books and journals
Kernot, CF, British Public Schools War Memorials, (1927), 58
Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 17 January 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/19538

Legal

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