Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Berrynarbor War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, 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 sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant granite memorial cross in the Celtic style;
* Group value: with the Church of St Peter (Grade II*-listed) and numerous churchyard monuments and the Lych Gate, all listed at Grade II.
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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Berrynarbor 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 the churchyard of the Church of St Peter (Grade II*-listed). In granite, it takes the form of a wheel-head cross. The cross shaft rises from a tapering pedestal, rectangular on plan, which stands on a two-stepped base. The memorial stands on a small square pavement enclosed by a low stone kerb.
End of official list entry
