Summary
Stone obelisk war memorial, in the grounds of the Grade I-listed Church of St Paul.
Reasons for Designation
Deptford (St Paul's) 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 sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: as a simple yet dignified stone obelisk war memorial;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Paul.
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 the Sandford Estate, Hornshay Street, New Cross 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 was unveiled by Colonel Sandford on 24 May 1920, in a ceremony presided over by Mr W Bettall. It was later moved to the Churchyard of the Church of St Paul, Deptford, around 1985.
Details
Short granite obelisk atop a plinth and single-stepped base. The front face of the plinth reads SANDFORD ESTATE / WAR MEMORIAL / IN HONOUR OF ALL THOSE / WHO RESPONDED TO THEIR / KING AND COUNTRY'S CALL / DURING THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1919; the west face of the obelisk reads 1939-1945. The memorial stands in an area of paving and is surrounded by four concrete bollards, one at each corner.
End of official list entry
