War Memorial Archway

Summary

First World War memorial with later additions. Erected 1921, in the form of a neo-Classical, Portland stone archway forming an entrance to a memorial garden. Carries memorials to both World Wars as well as conflicts in Korea (1950-53) and Aden (1964).

Reasons for Designation

The War Memorial Archway in Murray Street, Filey, 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: as an archway to a memorial garden, the memorial is of a slightly unusual design, different to the more usual cenotaph, cross or statue.

History

Filey’s war memorial was unveiled on 21 May 1921 and forms an arched entrance to a memorial garden. The land for the garden had been given to the town in 1916 by George Nesfield Barnett as public open space. Photographs taken before the Second World War show that the main inscription of the memorial originally read “IN HONOUR OF THE GALLANT MEN OF FILEY WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR” this being embossed lettering in stone. The names of the deceased were inscribed on two panels on the arch piers, along with their rank and unit. After the Second World War the memorial was modified with the main inscription replaced with a new inscription in bronze lettering and the inscribed panels covered with bronze plaques listing the Fallen by name only, the left hand panel noting those from the First World War, with the right hand panel listing those of the Second World War. Two small bronze panels were subsequently added on the inside face either side of the arch dedicated to Korea 1950-53 and Aden 1964. Further plaques were added to the rear of the monument in 2005 (recording the gift of the land in 1916) and 2014 (marking the centenary of the First World War).

Details

War memorial, 1921, altered after 1945.

MATERIALS: Portland stone with bronze plaques and lettering, wrought iron gates.

DESIGN: a Neo-classical archway with double gates forming the entrance to a memorial garden. The main inscription is set within the parapet above the arch, facing the public road and reads 'IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF FILEY/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE TWO WORLD WARS' this being formed in raised bronze lettering. The left hand arch pier carries a bronze plaque listing the 72 names of the Fallen from the First World War, a wreathed shield bearing the dates '1914 1918' being set above. The right hand pier is similarly treated, the shield bearing the dates '1939 1945', and the panel listing 53 names. Set on the inside face of the left hand pier is a small bronze plaque inscribed 'ADEN 1964 Davis M.F.' Similarly the right hand pier carries a plaque inscribed 'KOREA 1950-1953 Mason P.' The gates have arched tops bearing the words 'MEMORIAL GARDENS', but are otherwise simply treated. The rear of the memorial archway, facing the gardens, is completely blank architecturally, but includes two small plaques, one recording the gift of the land to the town in 1916, the other the centenary of the First World War.

Pursuant to s. 1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 it is declared that the memorial garden and the fencing flanking the archway are not included in the listing.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 1 February 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 1 February 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/30521
War Memorials Online, accessed 1 February 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/200080

Other
"Filey in the Great War of 1914-1918" undated booklet published by Filey Bay Initiative

End of official list entry

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