Holmer Green War Memorial

The Common, Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire, HP15 6XQ

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Overview

War memorial obelisk commemorating First and Second World War casualties. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1435088
Date first listed:: 17-May-2016
List Entry Name:: Holmer Green War Memorial
Statutory Address:: The Common, Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire, HP15 6XQ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1435088
Date first listed:: 17-May-2016
List Entry Name:: Holmer Green War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: The Common, Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire, HP15 6XQ

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:: The Common, Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire, HP15 6XQ

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

District:: Buckinghamshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Little Missenden
National Grid Reference:: SU9058097390

Summary

War memorial obelisk commemorating First and Second World War casualties.

Reasons for Designation

Holmer Green War Memorial, which stands on The Common, 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 simple yet dignified memorial obelisk.

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 Holmer Green as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 14 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War, and 16 in the Second World War. It was in place by 1925, when it appears on the Ordnance Survey County Series 1:2500 map for Buckinghamshire.

Details

Holmer Green War Memorial is situated on the north side of The Common, opposite the Recreation Ground. It is set off the footway outside the parish church of Christ Church, elevated above street level by two low, paved, steps.

The memorial comprises a sandstone obelisk, square on plan, standing c 3m in height with a shallow pyramidal top. A Latin cross is incised at the top on the front (south) face. The obelisk stands on a square, slightly tapered, plinth with cyma recta moulding.

All wording is incised. The front face of the plinth bears the principal dedicatory inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF HOLMER GREEN/ WHOSE SACRIFICE WAS ACCEPTED/ IN THE WARS OF/ 1914 - 1918/ AND/ 1939 – 1945/ THEY WENT TO WAR IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE/ AND DIED WITHOUT HATE THAT LOVE MIGHT LIVE.

The names of the 14 fallen from the First World War are inscribed on the west face of the plinth with the dates 1914 - 1918 above: the 16 names from the Second World War are inscribed on the east face, with the dates 1939 - 1945 above.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 13/04/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/115195
War Memorials Register, accessed 13/04/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/8124

Legal

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