Summary
First World War memorial drinking fountain, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Fir Tree War Memorial Drinking Fountain, which stands on the village green, 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: an ornamental drinking fountain designed to commemorate the community’s fallen servicemen.
History
According to a local newspaper report, the residents of Fir Tree planned to have a war memorial in place by July 1920. The drinking fountain was erected beside the road junction at the south-east end of the village, in commemoration of 12 local servicemen who died in the conflict. That plot of land had been donated by Mr T Hird. At a later date the memorial was moved c200m metres north-west, to the green alongside the School House. Following the Second World War the names of three men who died in that conflict were added. It may have been at this time that the principal dedicatory inscription was re-cut: a photograph dating to the 1930s shows the original First World War inscription.
Details
The stone memorial, c2.5m tall, stands on the green in Fir Tree. It takes the form of a drinking fountain. An elaborate pinnacled urn raised on a pedestal, square on plan, stands at the top. There are shallow hoods to each face of the pedestal, from which drinking water once issued. A small basin projects below each hood, supported by ornamented corbels. The plinth below, square on plan, stands on a two-stepped stone base. The plinth’s edges are chamfered with stops at the top of each curve, defining blind panels on each side.
End of official list entry
