War Memorial at the Church of St Alban the Martyr

Junction of Grange Road and Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, CR7 8SR

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Overview

First World War memorial in the form of a granite cross, unveiled in 1923. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1442646
Date first listed:: 27-Feb-2017
List Entry Name:: War Memorial at the Church of St Alban the Martyr
Statutory Address:: Junction of Grange Road and Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, CR7 8SR

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1442646
Date first listed:: 27-Feb-2017
List Entry Name:: War Memorial at the Church of St Alban the Martyr
Statutory Address 1:: Junction of Grange Road and Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, CR7 8SR

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:: Junction of Grange Road and Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, CR7 8SR

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

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: Croydon (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ3278468249

Summary

First World War memorial in the form of a granite cross, unveiled in 1923.

Reasons for Designation

The War Memorial at the Church of St Alban the Martyr, Thornton Heath, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifices they made in the First World War; * Design: as a simple yet dignified granite cross war memorial; * Group value: with the Church of St Alban the Martyr (Grade II).

History

The aftermath of the World Wars saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. One such memorial was raised in Thornton Heath outside St Alban the Martyr Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. After the war there was disagreement as to the type of memorial to be made - the church wished for a series of panels attached to the Lady Chapel bearing the names of the Fallen, whereas others wished to erect an external cross. This impasse lasted until 1921 when, following a secret vote on the matter, an external memorial cross was decided upon. It was unveiled on 23 December 1923. A much longer inscription was originally planned, however this was curtailed for financial reasons.

Details

Granite cross on a trapezoidal plinth. The centre of the cross bears a brass crown of thorns, within which is a draped Maltese cross. The arms of the cross are each carved with a nine-leafed branch. The front of the plinth bears the inscription: IN GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF ALL THOSE WHO / FROM THIS CHURCH / AND PARISH GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1918.

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, 23 November 2017.

Sources

Books and journals
Cox, Ronald, At the Going Down of the Sun... An Account of Croydon's War Memorials, (1992), 24
Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 23 November 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/253714
War Memorials Register, accessed 14th December 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/783

Legal

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