Summary
First World War memorial cross, erected early 1920s, with later additions for the Second World War, re-erected c1970
Reasons for Designation
Birch-in-Hopwood War Memorial, erected early 1920s is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on the Parish of St Mary, Birch-in-Hopwood, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: it is an unusual Celtic cross design, which lacks the lower wheel quadrants.
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.
Details
First World War memorial cross, erected early 1920s, with later additions for the Second World War, re-erected c1970
End of official list entry
