Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920. Wheel-head Celtic stone cross on a tapering plinth with two-stepped base.
Reasons for Designation
Hardley 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 First World War;
* Architectural interest: an intricately ornamented wheel-head cross in the Celtic style;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Margaret.
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.
Details
Hardley War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Margaret (Grade I-listed). It is prominently situated beside the churchyard path, adjacent to the north porch of the church. The memorial comprises a stone wheel head cross with knot-work carved in low relief to the cross face, and with the monogram IHS at the centre, on a tapering plinth with two-stepped, square, base below. The phrase THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE is incised in a scroll shape to the front face of the cross shaft.
End of official list entry
