Cardington War Memorial

Cardington Cemetery, Bedford Road, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3ST

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled on 23 May 1920, with Second World War additions. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1441321
Date first listed:: 14-Feb-2017
List Entry Name:: Cardington War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Cardington Cemetery, Bedford Road, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3ST

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1441321
Date first listed:: 14-Feb-2017
List Entry Name:: Cardington War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Cardington Cemetery, Bedford Road, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3ST

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Cardington Cemetery, Bedford Road, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3ST

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Bedford (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Cardington
National Grid Reference:: TL0850647964

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 23 May 1920, with Second World War additions.

Reasons for Designation

Cardington War Memorial 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: an elegant and striking Latin cross in Portland stone bearing a bronze Sword of Sacrifice; * Group value: with the monument to commemorate the R101 airship disaster (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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 Cardington 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 follows the style of Sir Reginald Blomfield’s Cross of Sacrifice designed for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission and was built by Messrs Dove Bros of Islington. The memorial cost £270 to construct and the money was raised through public subscription.

The memorial was unveiled 23 May 1920 by S H Whitbread CB, Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. It commemorates 35 local servicemen who fell in the First World War.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the three fallen of that conflict.

Details

MATERIALS: Portland stone memorial cross with bronze sword.

DESCRIPTION: Cardington War Memorial is located on the main path within Cardington Cemetery across the road from St Mary’s Church and churchyard. It consists of a Latin cross some 3m tall bearing a bronze Sword of Sacrifice on its front face. The cross rises from a tapering shaft upon an octagonal plinth and a two-stepped base.

The plinth has applied plaques on each face. The main dedication on the memorial reads: IN MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF/ THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT/ WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES). The other faces are inscribed with the names of the fallen.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 21 Oct 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/165304
War Memorials Register, accessed 21 Oct 2016 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1906
Other
Cardington, Bedfordshire Times and Independent, Friday 28 May 1920, 12

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.