Summary
War memorial, 1921. Later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Geddington War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard to the south-west of the church of St Mary Magdalene, 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;
* Design: an elegant limestone cross;
* Group value: it stands alongside the Grade I-listed church of St Mary Magdalene.
History
A memorial committee was formed in July 1919, and reported its proposals in January 1920 for a memorial cross and a tablet carrying the names of all 170 Geddington men who had served to be erected in the churchyard. Construction took a month and immediately afterwards, on 28 July 1921, the memorial was unveiled by Major Wetherall of Northampton. An additional inscription was made following the Second World War.
Details
The Geddington memorial stands within the churchyard, south-west of the church of St Mary Magdalene (listed Grade I). It comprises a c9m high floriated Latin cross with IHS in a shield at the top. The cross-head is set on an hexagonal pillar which rises from a square plinth set on a two-stepped octagonal base. On the plinth is inscribed 1914 – 1918/ IN UNDYING MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF GEDDINGTON/ WHO IN THE GREAT WAR/ GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US. The inscription ALSO/ 1939-1945 has been added below, to the top step of the base. Nearby, on the outer west wall of the south aisle of the church are three tablets bearing names and additional inscriptions.
End of official list entry
