Wilton War Memorial

Churchyard of the Church of St George, Fons George, Wilton, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3JT

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Overview

First World War memorial unveiled on 8 January 1922. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1436628
Date first listed:: 20-Jul-2016
List Entry Name:: Wilton War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Churchyard of the Church of St George, Fons George, Wilton, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3JT

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1436628
Date first listed:: 20-Jul-2016
List Entry Name:: Wilton War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Churchyard of the Church of St George, Fons George, Wilton, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3JT

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:: Churchyard of the Church of St George, Fons George, Wilton, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3JT

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

District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Taunton
National Grid Reference:: ST2243923899

Summary

First World War memorial unveiled on 8 January 1922.

Reasons for Designation

Wilton War Memorial, unveiled 8 January 1922, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a well-carved example of a Hamstone Calvary cross; * Group value: with the church of St George (Grade II*).

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.

In 1919 the Parochial Church Council of St George Wilton resolved to erect a memorial to commemorate the local servicemen who fell in the First World War and subsequently set up a committee with this aim. Original discussions were around a pair of plaques, one in St George’s church and one in St Michael’s, Galmington which, at the time, was within the same parish. Consultation showed that the community wished for a single memorial in the form of a cross at Wilton.

A design was obtained and approved from M Parsons. Due to issues over obtaining a Faculty to erect the memorial it was resolved in December 1920 that the committee should erect the memorial in the undedicated part of the churchyard. The memorial was unveiled by Brigadier-General Frith on 8 January 1922 and it was dedicated by the Bishop of Taunton.

In 2014 the memorial was conserved and the legibility of the inscription improved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Details

MATERIALS: Hamstone Calvary cross.

DESCRIPTION: Wilton War Memorial is composed of a two-stepped octagonal base with a square plinth on top. Rising from the plinth is a plain shaft with a carved Calvary at the centre of the cross head. The figure of Christ is carved in relief.

The inscriptions are incised in the plinth and base and commemorate the fallen of the First World War. The inscription on the memorial reads THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1919 / THEIR NAME LIVETH / FOR EVERMORE / (NAMES).

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 25 July 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 6 June 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/136575
War Memorials Register, accessed 25 July 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/72670
War Memorials Trust, accessed 06/06/2016 6 June 2016 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1174
Other
Wilton War Memorial, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 11 January 1922

Legal

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