Putley War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Putley War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of Putley Parish Church, 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 well-carved Calvary;
* Group value: with Putley Parish Church and the medieval churchyard cross (both Grade II*) and numerous Grade II-listed churchyard monuments.

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 Putley as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial commemorated four local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate one man who died in that conflict. In 2015 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust. The works included replacement of rotten oak from the crucifix on a like for like basis, and the addition of a further First World War name.

Details

MATERIALS: Oak cross, teak figure, stone plinth and steps.

DESCRIPTION: Putley War Memorial is located in the churchyard, to the E of Putley Parish Church (Grade II*-listed) and in close proximity to a number of Grade II-listed churchyard monuments and the scheduled and Grade II*-listed medieval churchyard cross. The war memorial consists of a canopied oak Calvary: the corpus is carved in teak. The cross shaft rises from a tapering stone plinth, square on plan, which stands on a raised platform accessed by three steps to E and W.

The front face of the plinth carries an inscription for the First World War reading THIS CROSS/ IS DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF/ GOD AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THOSE OF THE PARISH OF/ PUTLEY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914 - 1919.

The left face of the plinth lists the names of the First World War fallen (originally four names, now five following the most recent addition) followed by GRANT TO THEM O LORD ETERNAL REST AND/ LET LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE ON THEM./ REQUIESCANT IN PACE. The right face carries details of one airman who died in the Second World War, reading ALSO IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ SERGT. GEOFFREY ALBERT MAUND. R.A.F./ AGED 19 YEARS./ WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN AIR-OPERATIONS/ ON D-DAY (6TH JUNE 1944.)/ WAS BURIED AT RANVILLE BRITISH/ CEMETERY IN FRANCE.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 27/07/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/33165
War Memorials Online, accessed 27/07/2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/163924
War Memorials Trust, Grants Showcase, accessed 10/08/2016 from http://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1245

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