Drayton Parslow War Memorial

Junction of Main Road and Chapel Lane, Drayton Parslow, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0JJ

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled in January 1921, 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:: 1439523
Date first listed:: 11-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Drayton Parslow War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Junction of Main Road and Chapel Lane, Drayton Parslow, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0JJ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1439523
Date first listed:: 11-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Drayton Parslow War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Junction of Main Road and Chapel Lane, Drayton Parslow, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0JJ

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:: Junction of Main Road and Chapel Lane, Drayton Parslow, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0JJ

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

District:: Buckinghamshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Drayton Parslow
National Grid Reference:: SP8388828506

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled in January 1921, with further names added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Drayton Parslow 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 the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: an elegant and striking memorial pillar.

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, 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 Drayton Parslow as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who fell in the First World War as well as those who served and returned home.

The memorial was unveiled in January 1921 by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Robert Wynn-Carington, First Marquis of Lincolnshire.

Following the Second World War, the names of those who lost their lives in that conflict were added.

Details

The war memorial, unveiled in 1921, is situated on Main Road at the junction with Chapel Lane in Drayton Parslow.

The memorial stands circa 2.5m high and comprises a pillar, the top part of which is tapering with an elaborate square-sectioned crown and a pyramidal cap. A wreath is carved in relief in the lower half of the main (NE) face. The pillar is set upon a tall plinth; a cornice separates the two parts. The whole stands upon a three-stepped base.

The NE face of the plinth bears the dedication and the names of the seven fallen from the First World War. The inscription reads ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS OF/ DRAYTON PARSLOW/ IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. A short line is beneath followed by the names of the fallen, forename then surname. Beneath that, the riser of the top step reads AND 1939 – 1945 with the names of the two fallen, again forenames and surnames.

The NW and SE faces of the plinth bear the names of men from the village who also served in the First World War and returned; 21 names on one side and 22 on the other. Each reads IN HONOUR/ OF/ THOSE WHO SERVED above the list with a short line between the dedication and the names. The names are initials and surnames. All lettering on the memorial is inset, black-painted lead.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 11 January 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 11 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/146796
War Memorials Register, accessed 21 August 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/7962

Legal

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