Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1924.
Reasons for Designation
Ulgham War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist, 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 sacrifices it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest; an imposing memorial cross in the Celtic style;
* Degree of survival: unusually, the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration and thus retains its original design intent;
* Group value: with the Church of St John the Baptist and a number of churchyard monuments, all 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 the country. 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 Ulgham 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 the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade II listed), in close proximity to a number of Grade II listed churchyard monuments. It takes the form of a Celtic cross, in granite. The front face of the cross-head is ornamented with five hemispherical bosses. The cross shaft rises from a tapering pedestal, which stands on a two-stepped base.
End of official list entry
