Summary
War memorial in the form of a wooden aedicule, with a bronze crucifix and plaques affixed.
Reasons for Designation
Old Malden 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 the local community, and the sacrifices they made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: as an attractive and unusual war memorial in the form of a wooden aedicule;
* Group value: with the Grade II-listed St John the Baptist Church and nearby Grade II-listed Manor House.
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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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.
Details
A tall and attractive wooden aedicule, displaying both Classical and Gothic influences. The top is a Classical pediment, the tympanum bearing a carving of a crown within a laurel wreath, with symbols for the Greek letters Alpha and Omega on either side. Below this is a recessed shrine: the back panel bears a bronze crucifix with Christ sculpture, below which is a plaque reading: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS. / BRETHREN PRAY FOR US. The left and right side panels bear bronze plaques with the names of the Fallen, arranged by year and date. The platform of the shrine holds two diamond-shaped flower-pots, and the front of its bottom edge bears a plaque reading: + 1939 - 1945 WAR AND ALL WARS SINCE +. This rests on a Gothic style base with Corinthian pillars bearing the inscription in a square "1914 / 1918". The whole rests on a stone platform.
End of official list entry
