Theale War Memorial

Christ Church churchyard, Theale, Sedgemoor, Somerset, BA5 1PN

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Overview

A First World War memorial of c.1920, altered by the addition of the names of the fallen of the Second World War after 1945. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1437272
Date first listed:: 04-Oct-2016
List Entry Name:: Theale War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Christ Church churchyard, Theale, Sedgemoor, Somerset, BA5 1PN

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1437272
Date first listed:: 04-Oct-2016
List Entry Name:: Theale War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Christ Church churchyard, Theale, Sedgemoor, Somerset, BA5 1PN

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:: Christ Church churchyard, Theale, Sedgemoor, Somerset, BA5 1PN

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

District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Wedmore
National Grid Reference:: ST4676546066

Summary

A First World War memorial of c.1920, altered by the addition of the names of the fallen of the Second World War after 1945.

Reasons for Designation

Theale War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20; * Design: a well-executed stone monument, with good quality carving; * Group value: with the Grade II listed Gothic Revival Christ Church.

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.

One such memorial was raised at Theale as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

After the Second World War, the names of the men of the parish who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.

Details

A First World War memorial of c.1920, altered by the addition of the names of the fallen of the Second World War after 1945.

MATERIALS The memorial is constructed of stone.

DESCRIPTION The memorial consists of a tall, tapering column which is surmounted by a carved stone carving in the form of scrolls sitting atop carved acanthus leaves. The column sits on a square base which bears the inscription, "IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM/ THEALE/ WHO LAID DOWN/ THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1918/ (NAMES)/ ALSO/ 1939-1945/ (NAMES).

The column and base stand on a three-stepped plinth.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 01.07.16 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/24856

Legal

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