Summary
First World War memorial designed by JJ Allison, unveiled 1920.
Reasons for Designation
Woodland War Memorial, which stands in the village cemetery, 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 made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: an unusual form of war memorial with an elaborately decorated commemorative bronze panel;
* Degree of survival: unusually, the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains its original design intent.
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 Woodland 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 front of the chapel to Woodland Cemetery (unlisted). It takes the form of a tall stone pillar with a simple capstone, rising from a two stepped base. The base stands on the corniced top of the broad plinth, which in turn stands on a three-stepped base.
End of official list entry
