Woodacott Cross War Memorial

Woodacott Cross, Woodacott, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7BT

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Overview

First World War memorial by John Freeman and Sons of Penryn, unveiled on 13 November 1927, with further names added after the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1439204
Date first listed:: 03-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Woodacott Cross War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Woodacott Cross, Woodacott, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7BT

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1439204
Date first listed:: 03-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Woodacott Cross War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Woodacott Cross, Woodacott, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7BT

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Woodacott Cross, Woodacott, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7BT

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Devon
District:: Torridge (District Authority)
Parish:: Thornbury
National Grid Reference:: SS3868307815

Summary

First World War memorial by John Freeman and Sons of Penryn, unveiled on 13 November 1927, with further names added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Woodacott Cross War Memorial 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified granite obelisk.

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 Woodacott Cross as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Woodacott Cross War Memorial was erected in 1927 at a cost of £67 by John Freeman and Sons of Penryn, Cornwall. It was dedicated on 13 November 1927 in remembrance of Sergt T Skinner, the only person from the parish who was killed in action, as well as all those who served.

In 1947 a stone tablet was added at the base of the cross to record the two who fell in the Second World War.

In 2004 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from the War Memorials Trust.

Details

MATERIALS: granite obelisk with lead cross.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands at Woodacott Cross and comprises an obelisk rising from a square plinth on a three-stepped base. The front face of the obelisk has a metal Latin cross fixed to it.

The inscription on the front face of the plinth reads: 1914 – 1918/ TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF/ (NAME). The other faces of the plinth are also inscribed: ROLL OF HONOUR OF THOSE WHO SERVED/ (NAMES).

On the top step at the front of the memorial is an inclined tablet which is inscribed with: 1939 – 1945/ KILLED/ (NAMES)/ FOR FREEDOM.

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, 25 July 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 21 August 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/130143
War Memorials Register, accessed 25 July 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/72440
War Memorials Trust, accessed 21 August 2016 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=154
Other
‘Thornbury’, Western Times, Friday 18 November 1927, p14

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.