Summary
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Monken Hadley War Memorial 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;
* Design: as a simple yet attractive stone cross war memorial.
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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised in Monken Hadley on the Common as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It cost £300 and was designed by Mr Callard, apparently inspired by a C15 market cross in Inverary, Argyll, Scotland. It was unveiled by Lt Col F E Fremantle, OBE, TD, MP on 19 December 1920. The original inscription faded over time, and an explanatory metal plaque was added to the memorial sometime in the late C20.
Details
The memorial is located on Monken Hadley Common and comprises a tall stone cross, rising from a three-stepped base. The front of the cross and top section of the shaft are richly decorated with Celtic-style floral carvings. Within this is a shield which once bore the inscription TO THE EVER GLORIOUS MEMORY OF OUR MEN WHO FELL IN THE WAR, 1914 - 1919, however this is now so eroded as to be illegible. The rest of the shaft bears the names of the Fallen.
End of official list entry
