Polperro Parish Memorial Cross

Summary

First World War memorial, with additions for later conflict.

Reasons for Designation

Polperro Parish Memorial Cross, which stands on Downend Point, 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: a simple yet dignified and poignant memorial cross in a local stone.

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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised on Downend Point, Polperro, by Mrs Maria Florence Jerram (d1939), local philanthropist, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War and in thanks for the safe return of her sons and son-in-law. In 1939 Mrs Jerram's funeral service was held at the cross. Following the Second World War the names of those local men who had died in that conflict were added.

Details

The memorial stands beside the South West Coast Path, Downend Point, c140m to the south-east of Downend Cottage on The Warren Talland (National Trust). Overlooking the sea, the granite memorial takes the form of a plain Latin cross that stands on a three-stepped base.

Fifteen names are listed at the foot of the cross shaft on the front face. Below these on the upper stage of the base an inscription reads GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS/ FRIENDS. The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the middle stage reads THIS CROSS/ IS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND AS A/ THANKOFFERING FOR THE RETURN OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN/ PRESERVED ON LAND AND SEA DURING/ THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918.

A further 17 names are listed at the foot of the cross shaft on the rear face. Below these on the upper stage of the base an inscription reads TRUE LOVE BY LIFE TRUE LOVE BY DEATH IS TRIED/ LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND, WE FOR ENGLAND DIED. On the middle stage, to the rear, the dedication reads TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF TALLAND AND POLPERRO/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918.

The Second World War dedication is to the west face of the upper stage, reading IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 45 with 14 names listed below on the middle stage.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 13 December 2016.

Sources

Websites
Cornwall and Scilly Historic Environment Record, accessed 19/02/2016 from http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO53786&resourceID=1020
National Trust HBSMR, accessed 09/02/2016 from http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNA102312&resourceID=6
War Memorials Online, accessed 05/01/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/175145
War Memorials Register, accessed 13/12/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/18902

End of official list entry

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