Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920 and 1921.
Reasons for Designation
New Shildon War Memorial, which stands on Redworth 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 sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: an austere yet poignant memorial cross;
* Group value: with the Railway Institute and forecourt walls (Grade II).
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 New Shildon 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 c6.5m tall Heworth stone memorial stands at the roadside opposite the Railway Institute and Forecourt Walls (Grade II-listed) on Redworth Road. It takes the form of a small wheel-head cross rising from the moulded collar of an octagonal cross shaft. The cross shaft stands on a plinth, square on plan, which stands on a two-stepped base.
End of official list entry
