Hildenborough War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Hildenborough War Memorial, which stands at Foxbush Corner, 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 imposing memorial cross in the early medieval style;
* Designer: by Henry Philip Burke Downing, FRIBA and Diocesan Architect for Chichester.

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, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Hildenborough as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was unveiled by Colonel FSW Cornwallis and dedicated by the Bishop of Rochester on 5 October 1920. It was designed by HP Burke Downing FSA FRIBA, carved by Mr N Hitch of Vauxhall, and erected by Mr G Baker of Tonbridge. The memorial commemorates 37 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War a further 16 names of men who died in that conflict were added. In 2007 the memorial was refurbished with grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Henry Philip Burke Downing FRIBA (1865-1947) was articled to Alfred Hessell Tiltman in 1882. In independent practice from 1887, he held numerous appointments including Diocesan Architect for Chichester. According to the War Memorials Register (Imperial War Museum), Hildenborough's was his only war memorial.

Details

The memorial stands at Foxbush Corner, the junction of Noble Tree Road and London Road. It takes the form of a tall cross in Clipsham stone. At the centre of the cross head a scene of Christ crucified, flanked by St Mary and St John, is carved in low relief. The cross shaft rises from a broad tapering plinth, which stands on a two-stepped base.

The phrase LIFT/ UP YOUR HEARTS is carved in relief to the front face of the foot of the cross shaft. Below, on the front face of the plinth, the principal dedicatory inscription reads REMEMBER THE COMRADES/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-19/ + GRANT THEM, O LORD, ETERNAL REST./ LET LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE ON THEM. The commemorated First World War names are inscribed on the sides of the plinth. The dates 1939-45 are recorded on the riser of the upper step of the octagonal base, with the Second World War names on faces to either side.

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, 20 February 2017.

Sources

Books and journals
Brodie, A, Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 Volume 1 A-K, (2001), 558

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 22/09/2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/16283
War Memorials Trust, Grants Showcase, accessed 22/09/2016 from http://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=495
War Memorials Online, accessed 20 February 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/107634

Other
"Hildenborough War Memorial", Kent and Sussex Courier, 8 October 1920, p3.

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