Stebbing War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Stebbing War Memorial, situated at the junction of Watch House Road and High Street in Stebbing, 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 the C20;
* Architectural Interest: an elegant and dignified war memorial cross;
* Group Value: with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I-listed).

History

At a public meeting held in April 1919, the decision was made to erect a war memorial in Stebbing on the green opposite Church Farm. Stebbing War Memorial was executed by JB Slythe Monumental Mason of Witham at a cost of £215 10s and unveiled by Captain Percy Holt, of Porters Hall, at a ceremony on 29 May 1920. The service was led by the vicar, Reverend WW Judges, assisted by the congregational minister Reverend James Mogg.

The memorial commemorates 20 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the end of the Second World War an inscription was added to the base commemorating those who died in that conflict. Conservation and repair work was carried out in 2014, funded by War Memorials Trust, including the correction of one name.

Details

The memorial stands on a small green in the road junction to the west of the Church of St Mary (Grade I-listed). It comprises a Latin cross in Cornish granite, with octagonal arms and shaft, and a moulded foot. The shaft rises from an octagonal plinth that stands on a three-stepped, octagonal, base.

The principal inscription on one face of the plinth reads TO THE MEMORY/ OF STEBBING MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. The names of those who died in the First World War are recorded on adjacent faces. A further inscription on another face reads GREATER LOVE HATH/ NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN LAY/ DOWN HIS LIFE/ FOR HIS FRIENDS.

In addition, another face of the plinth reads 1939 – 1945, with the names of those six servicemen who died in the Second World War recorded below. All inscriptions are formed by attached metal lettering painted with black enamel.

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, 12 January 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Trust, Grants Showcase - Stebbing, accessed 15/05/2015 from http://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1113
War Memorials Register, accessed 15/05/2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/22311
War Memorials Online, accessed 12 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/191037

Other
"Stebbing", Essex Newsman, 5 April 1919, p4
"Stebbing's Sacrifice", Chelmsford Chronicle, 4 June 1920, p7

End of official list entry

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