Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled on 22 July 1920.
Reasons for Designation
Portobello War Memorial, unveiled 22 July 1920, 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 First World War;
* Architectural interest: an elegant and ornate Latin cross mounted on an obelisk, embellished with carved decorative details.
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.
Details
The memorial comprises a stone Latin cross mounted on an obelisk decorated with carved interlacing foliate designs. It stands on an octagonal two-stepped chamfered plinth upon a two-stepped base.
End of official list entry
