Duddington War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial.

Reasons for Designation

Duddington War Memorial, which stands outside the gates to St Mary’s Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: it is 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;

* Group value: it has strong group value with the Grade II* listed St Mary’s Church, a chest tomb and headstone, and a pair of chest tombs, both listed at Grade II.

History

The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Prior to then memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, which was the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

The memorial in Duddington was erected after the First World War to commemorate those men from the village who died in the conflict. One further name was added after the Second World War.

Details

First World War memorial.

MATERIALS: stone

PLAN: the memorial is situated to the north of St Mary's Church, just outside the churchyard gates.

EXTERIOR: the memorial is in the form of two plinths with entablatures resting on a triple-stepped base. The north face of the lower plinth has the inscription ‘IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THOSE WHO FELL IN/ THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918’, followed by the names of the fallen. Below this, the name of a soldier has been added who fell in the Second World War. The north face of the smaller plinth above has the raised lettering ‘1914 1918’ with a carved circular wreath in the centre. This is surmounted by a crucifix.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 20 July 2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/14907
Roll of Honour, accessed 20 July 2015 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Northamptonshire/index.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 17 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/208079

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