Summary
A stone war memorial cross of 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Fowey War Memorial, including retaining walls and steps, 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;
* Historic Association: with Major Bevil Quiller-Couch, son of prolific writer Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and fiancé of war poet May Wedderburn Cannan;
* Architectural interest: a well-crafted cross design in dressed granite utilising distinctive Cornish-style design work;
* Degree of survival: the structure, including granite retaining walls and steps, is unaltered;
* Group value: with the Church of St Fimbarrus (Grade I) and many other listed buildings.
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 at Fowey 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
A war memorial cross, retaining walls and steps of 1921 date.
MATERIALS: of dressed granite.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial cross is on a three-stepped octagonal base. The tapering rectangular shaft is richly carved with Cornish and Stafford knot designs to the front (E) and rear faces, and beading to the limbs. The shaft is surmounted by a wheel-head cross. Attached to the bottom step on the N and S sides are stone flower holders set within a paved surface. The eight faces of the top step of the base are inscribed A S/ MCMXIV – MCMXIX/ TO THE GREATER/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY/ OF/ XL MEN OF THIS/ BOROUGH/ WHO BY LAND/ AND SEA/ DYING FOR THEIR/ COUNTRY/ HEIRS OF HER/ SPIRIT NOW/ INHERIT LIFE/ ETERNAL. The middle step is inscribed REMEMBER/ (NAMES). The lower step is inscribed MCMXXXIX – MCMXLV/ (NAMES). A sword is carved in relief on the tread of the E side of the lower step.
End of official list entry
