Oxshott War Memorial

Oxshott Heath, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0TA

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

Overview

First World War Memorial with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1430670
Date first listed:: 20-Nov-2015
List Entry Name:: Oxshott War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Oxshott Heath, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0TA

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1430670
Date first listed:: 20-Nov-2015
List Entry Name:: Oxshott War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Oxshott Heath, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0TA

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:: Oxshott Heath, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0TA

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

County:: Surrey
District:: Elmbridge (District Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ1400361149

Summary

First World War Memorial with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Oxshott War Memorial, which stands on Oxshott Heath, 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of C20; * Architectural interest: an elegant memorial in a prominent position.

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 at Oxshott by Sir Robert McAlpine, who was a local resident at the time, to commemorate the 25 servicemen from the parish who died during the First World War. A further inscription was added to the memorial following the Second World War, commemorating those who had died in that conflict. A local history publication records that the memorial was damaged in a gale and restored, slightly reduced in height.

Details

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

The memorial stands at the top of the south slope of Oxshott Heath, on high ground with a backdrop of trees. A low rail and a hedge enclose the memorial, the main face of which overlooks the heath.

The stone memorial comprises a 7m high wheel-head cross rising from an octagonal shaft. The shaft surmounts a square plinth with incised inscriptions dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Second World War. This plinth rises from five octagonal steps which bear incised inscriptions and names in stylised lettering dedicated to those who lost their lives during the First World War.

The dedicatory inscription on the front face of the plinth reads AM/ DG/ 1939-1945

The dedicatory inscription which is incised around the top step reads IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF OXSHOTT WHO/ SERVED THEIR KING & COUNT- / TRY IN THE GREAT WAR/ REMEMBERING BEFORE GOD/ THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF/ LIBERTY AND JUSTICE +

Sources

Books and journals
Gidvani, BS, Oxshott - A Surrey Village, (1996)
Websites
Francis Frith, Oxshott War Memorial on The Heath c1955, accessed 9th August 2015 from http://www.francisfrith.com/oxshott/oxshott-war-memorial-on-the-heath-c1955_o99001
Oxshott Heath, History, accessed 9th August 2015 from www.oxshottheath.org/history/
War Memorial Register, accessed 5 December 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/23379
War Memorials in Elmbridge, accessed 9th August 2015 from www.elmbridge.gov.uk/atoz/detail.htm?pk_services=1023
War Memorials Online, accessed 05/12/2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/168945

Legal

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