Summary
First World War memorial of 1920, with additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Old Woking War Memorial 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 sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified granite wheel-head cross with decorative details;
* Group value: with the adjacent Church of St Peter listed at Grade I and several Grade II-listed gravestones in the churchyard.
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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was erected at Old Woking as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The war memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Peter in Old Woking village. The memorial comprises a Cornish granite wheel cross decorated with Celtic-style tracery including rosette motifs. It is set upon a tapered column on a rectangular plinth. This is set upon a three-stepped base.
End of official list entry
