Summary
First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Speen War Memorial, which stands at the junction of Speen Lane and Bath 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 this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: an elegant war memorial in contrasting brick and Portland stone;
* Group value: with numerous Grade II-listed buildings gathered around the road junction.
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 at Speen 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
MATERIALS: Brick and Portland stone.
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