Summary
First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Godley Hill War Memorial, which stands beside Godley Hill Road, 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: an elegant obelisk in the Classical style.
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. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also 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 Godley Hill as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The memorial stands at the west side of Godley Hill Road, set in a circular garden enclosed by low stone walls with access through black-painted metal gates to the front. In front of the memorial stands a white marble flower vase, on the front of which the dedication IN/ MEMORY/ OF/ THE FALLEN/ GODLEY HILL is inscribed.
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