Falfield War Memorial

Summary

A First World War Memorial erected in 1921 in memory of the men of the parish who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the First World War, and subsequently also those who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Falfield war memorial, erected in 1921, 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;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet refined column with a calvary cross design, well-crafted in stone, given prominence by its wall enclosed horse-shoe shaped platform with decorative bollards and cast iron chain;
* Intactness: despite the fact it has been re-located, the structure is mostly unaltered and it retains a prominent position within the parish;
* Group value: it makes a positive and important contribution to the street scene and groups well with the neighbouring listed church of St George.

History

A First World War memorial erected in 1921 in memory of the thirteen men of the parish who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the First World WarThe funds for its erection were raised by a Committee of Parishioners. The memorial was originally located on Sundayshill, at the T-junction with Sundayshill Lane. After the Second World War four bronze plaques were added to the memorial base, probably replacing earlier plaques, in order to commemorate a further four men who lost their lives whilst serving their country during that conflict. In 1948 bollards and chains were erected around the memorial.

In 1964 the war memorial was relocated c 25m to the north-east, due to the improvements to the A38, then known as the Exeter to Leeds trunk-road. The land was purchased from the Diocese by Falfield parish council. A memorial service continues to be held every year at the war memorial.

Details

A First World War Memorial erected in 1921 in memory of the men of the parish who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the First World War, and subsequently also those who lost their lives whilst serving their country in the Second World War.

The memorial, with a total height of c2.7m, is constructed in stone, in the shape of a calvary cross set on and octagonal shaped column. This is surmounting a square base, with bronze plaques to its four faces, and placed on a three stepped octagonal base. The memorial is placed on a raised, horseshoe-shaped platform, paved in stone slabs, enclosed by a low curved stone wall to rear, and with three decorative bollards holding a cast iron chain to the front.

Each of the four bronze plaques is inscribed. That to the front (probably amended or replacing an earlier bronze plaque that only referred to the First World War) reads:

IN MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE / MEN OF FALFIELD WHO, / IN THE GREAT WARS OF / 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, / FELL IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE.

The other three read:

1914 - 1918 / (7 names with rank)

1914 -1918 / (6 names with rank)

1939-1945 / (4 names with rank)


This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 11 January 2017.

Sources

Books and journals
South Gloucestershire District Council, , War Memorials in South Gloucestershire, (October 2014), 11

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 12 March 2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/7435
War Memorials Online, accessed 11 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/214283

Other
Illustrated report on the history of Falfield War Memorial, Falfield Parish Council, 2015 (held by English Heritage)

End of official list entry

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