Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1919.
Reasons for Designation
South Moor War Memorial, which stands outside St George’s Church, 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 First World War;
* Architectural interest: a tall and imposing Calvary by noted church furnishers Mowbray and Co Ltd;
* Group value: with the Church of St George (Grade II-listed).
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 outside St George’s Church on South Moor Road, South Moor, 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 E wall of the Church of St George (Grade II-listed). It takes the form of a large, elaborately-hooded Calvary. The timber cross shaft bears the figure of Christ crucified, cast in copper. The shaft rises from a stone pedestal that stands on a three-stepped base.
End of official list entry
