Dunsfold War Memorial and surrounding enclosure

Summary

First World War memorial, 1934, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Dunsfold War Memorial, which is situated at the junction of Dunsfold Common Road and Alfold Road, 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;
* Design: as a simple yet poignant memorial cross.

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, 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 Dunsfold 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 was unveiled in 1934, and commemorates the men of the parish who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, the memorial was updated to commemorate those who lost their lives in this conflict.

It is noted that the two bronze plaques were added in 1996, listing the names of those who died in both conflicts. There were no names listed prior to this installation. One of the names commemorated here is that of Leslie George Bull, who took part in the “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III in 1944, and was subsequently recaptured and executed by the Gestapo.

Details

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1934.

MATERIALS: stone, with bronze plaques.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is comprised of a cross on a tapering shaft, mounted on a square plinth with a three stepped octagonal base.

The plinth bears the following inscription: IN MEMORIAM/ 1914-1919/ 1939-1945.

Bronze plaques are attached on each side of the plinth, the first of which reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE WHO DIED IN/ THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. This is followed by the names of seventeen men who perished.

The second bronze plaque reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE WHO DIED IN/ THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945, followed by the names of another eleven men who perished, closing with AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The memorial is surrounded by an octagonal enclosure of thirteen bollards, connected by a spiked chain.


This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 21 February 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 28 November 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/23545
Website containing further information on the individuals commemorated, accessed 28 November 2016 from http://www.theygavetheirtoday.com/dunsfold.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 21 February 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/198146

Other
Kelly's Directory of Surrey, 1934

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