Summary
First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1921, with additions for later conflicts.
Reasons for Designation
Dartmouth War Memorial Cross, which stands in Royal Avenue Gardens, 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 made in the conflicts of the C20 and C21.
Architectural interest:
* A simple yet eloquent war memorial, in granite.
Group value:
* With the listed Bandstand (Grade II), The Butterwalk (Grade I), The Boat Float (Grade II), and numerous Grade II and Grade II*-listed buildings on The Quay.
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 in Dartmouth as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community.
Throughout 1919 debate about an appropriate war memorial for Dartmouth failed to come to a conclusion that met overall public approval. Suggestions included bath and wash houses, a shelter building, a triumphal arch, an extension to the hospital, and a cross. In mid-March 1919 the decision was finally made to erect a monument on New Ground, facing the river Dart. A public meeting held in the Guildhall in late 1920 heard that £235 had been raised; those present decided to close the appeal and proceed with the project.
The memorial cross was unveiled on 18 May 1921 by the Prince of Wales, who had spent two years resident as a pupil at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. The ecumenical ceremony, attended by the Mayor and Corporation, military representatives and other uniformed organisations, and many local residents, was led by the local clergy. The Mayor’s chaplain dedicated the memorial, which commemorates 146 local servicemen who died in the First World War.
Following the Second World War the details of a further 82 servicemen who lost their lives in that conflict were added, along with 35 civilians who died as a result of enemy action. More recently, a stone commemorating service personnel who have died since 1945, in China, Malaya and Afghanistan, has been added.
Details
MATERIALS: granite.
DESCRIPTION: the granite memorial stands in Royal Avenue Gardens, in close proximity to the Grade II-listed Bandstand, and other listed buildings that surround New Ground and the Boat Float. The c5m tall plain Latin cross rises from a slightly shouldered pedestal, square on plan, which stands on a two-stepped octagonal base. The inscriptions on the memorial are all in applied metal letters.
The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the pedestal reads IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF DARTMOUTH/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY, 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES). The listed names continue on the rear face, headed “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.” To one side the Second World War dedication reads IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF DARTMOUTH/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY, 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES). The fourth side, which includes a simple representation of a plain Latin cross, reads IN MEMORY OF CIVILIANS WHO LOST/ THEIR LIVES BY ENEMY ACTION 1939 – 45/ (NAMES).
A small wedge-shaped granite block, placed on the top step of the base and butting the pedestal’s fourth face, reads IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY IN CONFLICTS SINCE 1945/ (3 NAMES).
This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 30 January 2018.
