Summary
First World War memorial.
Reasons for Designation
Lydiard Millicent War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints, 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 First World War;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant memorial cross;
* Degree of survival: unusually, the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains its original design intent;
* Group value: with the Church of All Saints (Grade II*) and a number of 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 the country. 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 Lydiard Millicent as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 13 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. A wooden board recording not only those who died, but all who served, was put up in the parish church in 1920, whilst outside in the churchyard a memorial cross was erected.
Details
The war memorial cross stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade II*-listed), in close proximity to a number of listed monuments including the medieval churchyard cross. The war memorial takes the form of a rough-hewn granite wheel-head cross. A reversed sword is carved in low relief on the front face of the cross. The cross shaft rises from a tapering pedestal, that stands on a stone step.
End of official list entry
