Chichester War Memorial

Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8EY

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Overview

War memorial by the architectural practice of Unsworth & Triggs, unveiled 1921. Additional details added after the Second World War, and moved from Eastgate Square to Litten Gardens in 1940. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1429864
Date first listed:: 02-Nov-2015
List Entry Name:: Chichester War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8EY

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1429864
Date first listed:: 02-Nov-2015
List Entry Name:: Chichester War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8EY

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:: Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8EY

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

County:: West Sussex
District:: Chichester (District Authority)
Parish:: Chichester
National Grid Reference:: SU8657304946

Summary

War memorial by the architectural practice of Unsworth & Triggs, unveiled 1921. Additional details added after the Second World War, and moved from Eastgate Square to Litten Gardens in 1940.

Reasons for Designation

Chichester War Memorial, 1921, designed by the architects Unsworth & Triggs, moved to its current position in 1940, 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 ultimate sacrifice made by so many from the Chichester area in the conflicts of the C20; * Design: a large intricate memorial displaying high quality carving of motifs and detailing, by notable local architects Unsworth & Triggs.

History

This List entry has been amended to add sources for further reading (05/12/2016)

The war memorial, in remembrance of those from the Chichester area who fell in the First World War, was unveiled by Field Marshal Sir William R Robertson Bart GCB GCMG KCVO DSO in July 1921. Robertson Bart was at the time the most senior officer in the British Army having uniquely served in every rank from Private to Field Marshal.

The memorial was designed by the distinguished local architectural practice of Unsworth & Triggs of Petersfield which was also responsible for the design of a number of buildings in the south of England, including war memorials such as Petersfield Memorial (1922), Woking War Memorial (1920), and Steep War Memorial (1918), all Grade II-listed.

The memorial was made by the mason E F Perriman of Petersfield, and was originally erected in Eastgate Square, Chichester. Due to road layout changes it was moved a short distance to the current site in The Litten in 1940 where crazy paving extends beyond the dwarf wall surrounding the monument and forms the main access path, which in turn is bordered by grass falling away to park flower beds.

The names of the First World War fallen are carved into 16 vertical tablets forming the base of the monument. After the Second World War four more horizontal stone tablets were added at the base of the monument recording the fallen of this subsequent conflict.

Details

MATERIALS: Portland stone, slate

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is in the southern section of Litten Gardens and stands at the termination of a path. It is on a circular mound, and surrounded by a curvilinear limestone dwarf wall intersected by four stepped access paths.

The base of the memorial is octagonal in form and consists of two steps separated by a concave moulding. In turn vertical plaques form a 16-sided base with a dentil cornice, which supports the central shaft. Four buttress piers extending from the base are surmounted by pyramidal, crocketted finials.

The central shaft is octagonal and surmounted by an elaborately carved wheel-head cross. This is supported by four right angled carved brackets that frame the cross. The terminals of the cross are enriched with carved foliage, and the centre of the cross displays a rose motif.

A central south facing plaque, situated between Roll of Honour plaques, carries the carved inscription IN GRATEFUL/ REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE MEN OF/ CHICHESTER/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-19/ 1939-1945. The plaque also shows a carved relief of the Chichester coat of arms.

The 16 First World War Roll of Honour plaques are inscribed with the names of the 353 who fell. They are listed by military organisation and record the 60 different units in which they served.

At the base of the monument four Second World War plaques lie horizontally on the ground facing north, east, south, and west. They are inscribed with the names of the 255 men who fell in this subsequent conflict.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 5 December 2016

Sources

Books and journals
'War Memorial' in Chichester Observer, , Vol. Unknown, (16th November 1940), Unknown
Websites
Roll of Honour, West Sussex - Chichester, accessed 10/06/2015 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Sussex/Chichester.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 05/12/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/107041
War Memorials Register, accessed 20/05/2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/16886
Western Front Association, accessed 27/06/2015 from http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the-great-war/great-war-on-land/john-terraine-essays-on-leadership-and-war-1914-18/425-wully-robertson.html

Legal

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