Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Stillington War Memorial, which stands to the south of Messines 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 tall memorial cross drawing on Christian iconography and incorporating Gothic decorative elements.
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 Stillington 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 in a small garden, formerly landscaped, to the south side of Messines Lane. It takes the form of a Latin cross, octagonal in section, that rises from a moulded collar on an octagonal shaft. The cross shaft stands on the cap of a pedestal, square on plan. The pedestal is mounted on a two-stepped base.
End of official list entry
