Waddesdon War Memorial

The Square, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE

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Overview

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1433353
Date first listed:
22-Mar-2016
List Entry Name:
Waddesdon War Memorial
Statutory Address:
The Square, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1433353
Date first listed:
22-Mar-2016
List Entry Name:
Waddesdon War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:
The Square, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

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

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

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

Location

Statutory Address:
The Square, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE

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

District:
Buckinghamshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Waddesdon
National Grid Reference:
SP7407816867

Summary

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Waddesdon War Memorial, which stands at the junction of High Street and Silk Street, 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 local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a dignified wheel-head cross in the Celtic style;
* Group value: with 91 and 93 High Street (Grade II).

History

Waddesdon War Memorial was unveiled in March 1921 by Major-General Sir Robert Fanshawe KCB DSO, late of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, who commanded the 48th (South Midland) Division during the First World War. It commemorated 62 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a further inscription was added to commemorate the 14 who fell in that conflict.

Details

The memorial is situated on a triangular green on The Square at the junction of High Street and Silk Street, in front of 91 and 93 High Street (Grade II). It comprises a rough-hewn granite Celtic cross c3m tall. The front (north) face of the wheel-head is decorated with an interlace design carved in relief. The south face is plain.

The cross shaft stands on a tapered, square, plinth with smooth, recessed panels bearing the inscriptions. All lettering is black-painted inset lead. The plinth stands on a shallow, two-stepped, square base. The memorial is surrounded by a chain carried on nine low stone pillars and the enclosure is gravelled. Three steps lead down to the memorial from the footway.

The north face of the plinth bears the principal dedication TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ PROUD AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE MEN OF WADDESDON/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919./ AND IN 1939-1945./ "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH."/ "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE."

The names of the sixty-two fallen from the First World War are on the east and west faces, thirty-one on each. The names of the fourteen fallen from the Second World War are on the south face.

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, 11 January 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 08/02/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/8004
War Memorials Online, accessed 11 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/115315

Legal

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

Ordnance survey map of Waddesdon War Memorial

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 15-Jun-2026 at 03:46:18.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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