Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Aston War Memorial, which stands on Aston Lane, 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 elegant memorial in the Classical style;
* Group value: with the Church of St Peter (Grade I) 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 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 Aston 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
The memorial stands outside the Church of St Peter (Grade I-listed) on a triangle of grass at the roadside. The sandstone monument, c2.5m tall, takes the form of a tapering pillar, square on plan. The pillar is surmounted by a pyramidal cap, below which, to the front, is a wreath suspended from a ribbon carved in relief.
End of official list entry
