Cheslyn Hay War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 14 August 1921, with further names added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Cheslyn Hay War Memorial, unveiled 14 August 1921, 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;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified granite 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, 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 Cheslyn Hay as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 57 local servicemen who fell during the First World War. 

The memorial was unveiled by Lieut-Col T W Waterhouse of the Staffordshire Territorial Forces on 14 August 1921 and dedicated by Rev A H Lanfear.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 15 fallen of that conflict.

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

Details

MATERIALS: Cornish granite obelisk, marble plaques.

DESCRIPTION: Cheslyn Hay War Memorial comprises a rough-hewn obelisk set upon a square plinth. This is set on a rough-hewn square base with projecting blocks at each corner. The inscriptions are all in lead lettering.

The inscription on the front face of the plinth reads: THIS MEMORIAL / WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC / SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MEMORY / OF THE MEN OF CHESLYN HAY / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1918. / “THEIR NAMES LIVE FOR EVERMORE.” / (NAMES). The three plaques on the other faces also bear names of the fallen.

Below on the base is a plaque dedicated to the fallen from the Second World War which reads ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF / THE FOLLOWING MEN / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR / 1939 – 1945 / (NAMES).

The memorial is set on a sandstone paved area with a metal wreath holder running around its base. At each corner there is a granite post which protects the memorial.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/27791
War Memorials Online, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/164179
War Memorials Trust, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1117

Other
Lichfield Mercury, 19 August 1921

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