Swyre War Memorial

B3157, Swyre, Dorset, DT2 9DA

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

First World War memorial. Erected 1921. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1428091
Date first listed:: 19-Aug-2015
List Entry Name:: Swyre War Memorial
Statutory Address:: B3157, Swyre, Dorset, DT2 9DA

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1428091
Date first listed:: 19-Aug-2015
List Entry Name:: Swyre War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: B3157, Swyre, Dorset, DT2 9DA

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

Statutory Address:: B3157, Swyre, Dorset, DT2 9DA

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

District:: Dorset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Swyre
National Grid Reference:: SY5275088174

Summary

First World War memorial. Erected 1921.

Reasons for Designation

Swyre war memorial, erected in 1921 and situated at a crossroads on the south side of the village, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reason: * 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.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw a huge wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. One such memorial was erected in 1921 on the site of the old village cross at Swyre to commemorate six men of the parish who lost their lives. A commemorative service was held on 25th July 1921 in Holy Trinity Church followed by an address and dedication at the war memorial.

The memorial was restored in 2005 by the Parish Council when it was cleaned and the lettering was renewed by a local stone mason.

Details

First World War memorial. Erected 1921.

MATERIALS: Portland stone ashlar set on a concrete foundation.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands opposite a crossroads of the main street and the B3157 on the south side of the village, near to Holy Trinity Church and just to the west of the remains of the old village cross. It faces north, is set in concrete, and enclosed by a set of four ornamented metal posts linked by chains. The memorial comprises a Latin stone cross, bearing the letters I.H.S at the centre; Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, saviour of mankind), rising from a roll-moulding upon a tapering chamfered shaft 2.5m high. The shaft stands on a square plinth, which rests on a three-tier stepped base, together 1.1m high. On the front of the plinth is inscribed a hexagram or Star of Creation, a trefoil, and the following words in black lettering: THE GREAT WAR/ AUG. 4. 1914 – NOV. 11. 1918/ IN SACRED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF SWYRE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR KING AND COUNTRY. The top tier of the base is inscribed: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY”. On the east and west side of the plinth are six names of the Fallen.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 7 December 2016.

Sources

Websites
Historic England. PastScape Website: 'Swyre Village Cross'. Monument No. 450482., accessed 10 June 2014 from http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=450482&sort=2&type=&typeselect=c&rational=a&class1=None&period=None&county=None&district=None&parish=None&place=&recordsperpage=10&source=text&rtype=monument&rnumber=450482
Sapsed, B, Roll of Honour: Sywre War Memorial (2008), accessed 1 June 2015 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Dorset/Swyre.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 07/12/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/121480
War Memorials Register, accessed 07/12/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1029

Legal

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