Summary
First World War memorial, erected in 1921. Later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Helmdon War Memorial, which stands on a triangular Green in the village, 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: a large and well-executed Celtic cross.
History
The war memorial was erected in January 1921 and dedicated by the Bishop of Leicester. The local Helmdon stone quarries were worked out by that time and the material for the memorial, greyish-purple Hornton stone, came from the Edge Hill quarries near Banbury; John Campin was the stone mason. The original memorial collapsed in a storm on 9 February 1925, subsequently being re-erected in December that year with a replacement to the central column and somewhat lower in height. At the time of its dedication, the memorial was surrounded by a picket fence enclosing the triangular Green on which the memorial stands. It is said that this fence was replaced in the 1950s.
Details
The memorial, overall c 4m tall, stands on a small, triangular Green. It comprises an apparently outsize wheel-head cross (perhaps because the shaft was originally taller) with blind tracery carved at the cross centre and decorating the cross arms. This stands at the top of a square-sectioned shaft, which rises from a short plinth. That stands on a taller base of a yellower stone. The memorial stands on a concrete surround.
End of official list entry
