Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1919, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Headbourne Worthy War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of St Swithun’s Church, 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: an elegant memorial cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Swithun.
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 Headbourne Worthy 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 Swithun (Grade I). It consists of a tall stone cross rising from a moulded collar on a tapering octagonal shaft. The shaft stands on a small octagonal pedestal, which is placed on a larger octagonal plinth. Four stone blocks standing on the plinth protrude from alternate faces of the pedestal.
End of official list entry
