Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Beer War Memorial Cross, including steps, railings and gate to front, standing outside St Michael’s Church, are 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 has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a tall and elegant granite memorial cross;
* Group value: with the Church of St Michael and the Conduit Head opposite, both Grade II-listed.
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 Beer as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The granite memorial cross stands outside the Church of St Michael’s (Grade II-listed), at the junction of Fore Street and Church Hill and opposite the Grade II-listed Conduit Head. It takes the form of a 6m tall cross, with a floriated cross head. The cross shaft rises from a pedestal, square on plan, which stands on a three-stepped, octagonal, base. In front of the memorial cross the churchyard walls are cut back, interrupted by a stepped enclosure demarcated from the road by railings with a gate.
End of official list entry
