Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
The war memorial to the men of East and West Molesey, situated on Hurst Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: an elegant limestone memorial pillar.
History
The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. One such memorial was raised beside the River Thames at Molesey Lock, dedicated to the 131 men of East and West Molesey who lost their lives. An additional plaque was added following the end of the Second World War. Another local war memorial dedicated to the men of West Molesey stands in a small garden on Walton Road, West Molesey.
Details
The war memorial consists of a c4m tall, square, tapering limestone column which stands on Hurst Road, East Molesey, beside the River Thames. Beneath the abacus, on each face of the column is a raised arch which encloses incised inscriptions. The south-east face of the war memorial bears the principal inscription IN/ MEMORY/ OF THE/ MEN OF/ EAST &/ WEST/ MOLESEY/ WHO/ FELL/ IN THE/ GREAT/ WAR/ 1914/ 1919 while the remaining three faces list those who lost their lives.
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