Seale War Memorial

Seale War Memorial, Elstead Road, Seale, Surrey, GU10 1HX

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Overview

Seale War Memorial, erected in 1919. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1429561
Date first listed:: 30-Sep-2015
List Entry Name:: Seale War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Seale War Memorial, Elstead Road, Seale, Surrey, GU10 1HX

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1429561
Date first listed:: 30-Sep-2015
List Entry Name:: Seale War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Seale War Memorial, Elstead Road, Seale, Surrey, GU10 1HX

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:: Seale War Memorial, Elstead Road, Seale, Surrey, GU10 1HX

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

County:: Surrey
District:: Guildford (District Authority)
Parish:: Seale and Sands
National Grid Reference:: SU8968947831

Summary

Seale War Memorial, erected in 1919.

Reasons for Designation

Seale War Memorial, erected in 1919, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Design: as an elegant and well-proportioned stone floriated cross set on a plinth and base of contrasting stone with a later enclosure complete with inscribed seats; * Group value: the memorial has group value with the Church of St Laurence (listed Grade II).

History

The memorial was erected in 1919 and originally commemorated those men of Seale who gave their lives in the First World War. It is set adjacent to the Church of St Laurence (listed Grade II).

The word ‘SEALE’ inscribed on the west face of the memorial appears to have once been deliberately chiselled out and may have been removed as a precaution to hide the name during the Second World War; this happened at nearby Shackleford War Memorial. Inscriptions on two seats in the memorial’s enclosure indicate that the enclosure was added in 1947 and was given by Lady Buckingham of Seale Lodge. An inscribed panel was added commemorating those who lost their lives in the Second World War.

Details

The war memorial stands in a prominent location on the main street through the village of Seale. It is c 4m high and comprises a small floriated cross on an octagonal shaft set on a plinth on a three-stage plinth. The upper part is of sandstone blocks with stone columns at each corner; the middle section is plain stone; the lower section is again built of sandstone blocks. The middle stone section is inscribed on three sides with the names and regiments of 24 men who lost their lives in the First World War. On the west face an inscription reads: THIS CROSS IS ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE/ OF SEALE TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND/ AS A MEMORIAL TO ALL THOSE WHO/ GAVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR ENGLAND/ IN THE GREAT WAR AND ESPECIALLY/ IN LOVING MEMORY OF THOSE CONNECTED/ WITH THIS PARISH WHOSE NAMES ARE/ INSCRIBED HERE-ON/ A.D. 1919. The lower section has a panel fixed to its west face inscribed with 1939-1945 and the names of nine men who lost their lives in the Second World War below.

The plinth stands on a four-stepped stone base; the top step is inscribed on its west face with: IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

The memorial stands in a paved stone rectangular enclosure open on one side where it is accessed by one step. The enclosure is formed of a low stone wall with a stone coping. Integral to the enclosure are two curved stone cornerseats. The northernmost seat back is inscribed: TO THE LIVING MEMORY OF/ THOSE WHO DIED AND FOUGHT/ FOR ALL OF US TO SAVE/ OUR PRECIOUS LAND/ 1939-1945. The southernmost seat back is inscribed: THIS WALL WAS GIVEN BY/ LADY BUCKINGHAM OF SEALE LODGE/ AND UNVEILED BY HER/ ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 1947.

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, 5 December 2016.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 05/12/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/100706
War Memorials Register, accessed 05/12/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/23413

Legal

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