Great Somerford War Memorial Cross

c25m north-west of The Close, Junction of Top Street, Park Lane, and Hollow Street, Great Somerford, Wiltshire, SN15 5JD

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Overview

First World War memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451048
Date first listed:: 02-Nov-2017
List Entry Name:: Great Somerford War Memorial Cross
Statutory Address:: c25m north-west of The Close, Junction of Top Street, Park Lane, and Hollow Street, Great Somerford, Wiltshire, SN15 5JD

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451048
Date first listed:: 02-Nov-2017
List Entry Name:: Great Somerford War Memorial Cross
Statutory Address 1:: c25m north-west of The Close, Junction of Top Street, Park Lane, and Hollow Street, Great Somerford, Wiltshire, SN15 5JD

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: c25m north-west of The Close, Junction of Top Street, Park Lane, and Hollow Street, Great Somerford, Wiltshire, SN15 5JD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Great Somerford
National Grid Reference:: ST9630682941

Summary

First World War memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Great Somerford War Memorial Cross, which stands at the junction of Top Street, Hollow Street and Park Lane, 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 made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* a well-executed example of a slender stone memorial cross.

Group value:

* with The Close (Grade II) and The Old Maltings (Grade II).

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 erected at Great Somerford as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 13 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Fundraising for the cross was complete by July 1919 and it was in place by the time of the Armistice anniversary in 1921. As well as those who died, the memorial commemorates all the villagers who served in the First World War. The names of five men who died during the Second World War were subsequently added.

Details

The memorial stands on small grassed area at the junction of Top Street, Hollow Street and Park Lane. It is overlooked by The Close and The Old Maltings (both Grade II-listed).

The stone memorial is about 4.2m high and comprises a small floriated Latin cross rising from the collar of a tall octagonal shaft. The shaft is set on a small plinth, square on plan, and two-stepped base. The whole stands on a square slab set flush with the ground and surrounded by a lawn. The grassed area is encircled by low bollards carrying chains.

The main inscription is on the east-facing side of the plinth, where applied metal lettering reads OUR GLORIOUS DEAD/ (13 NAMES)/ 1914 – 1918. On the west-facing side of the plinth an additional inscription reads IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION/ ALSO OF/ ALL FROM OUR VILLAGE/ WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR.

The names of the fallen of the Second World War have subsequently been added to the south-facing side of the plinth in an inscription that reads 1939 – 1945/ (5 NAMES).

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 24 May 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/225328/
War Memorials Register, accessed 24 May 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/24060
Other
“Great Somerford”, Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 19 July 1919, p5
“Great Somerford”, Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 19 November 1921, p5

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.