Summary
First World War memorial, 1923, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Sparsholt War Memorial, on Woodman Lane, 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 sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Group Value: with the Church of St Stephen (Grade II*-listed).
History
The war memorial was erected in remembrance of the men of the parish who fell in the First World War. The design was by Robert Bostock, who also donated the land on which the memorial stands. It was unveiled by General Portal in November 1923, following the unveiling of a tablet in the nearby Memorial Hall which names the 62 men who served. The names of those who died fighting during the Second World War were added at a later date.
Details
The war memorial stands in a grassed area encircled with mature trees to the north-east of the churchyard and opposite the Memorial Hall. Unusually it comprises a plain oak cross, raised on an octagonal brick base. A stone collar encircles the foot of the cross. The base has a stone coping and stands on two brick steps. The names of the commemorated servicemen are carved on a stone plaque on the front of the base and on the coping stones.
End of official list entry
