Radstock War Memorial

Radstock War Memorial, Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP

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Overview

First World War memorial by Messrs Cole and Barton of Radstock. Erected in 1925, with later additions for the Second World War and the Iraq Conflict. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451460
Date first listed:: 10-May-2018
List Entry Name:: Radstock War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Radstock War Memorial, Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451460
Date first listed:: 10-May-2018
List Entry Name:: Radstock War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Radstock War Memorial, Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP

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:: Radstock War Memorial, Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP

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

District:: Bath and North East Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Radstock
National Grid Reference:: ST6894254949

Summary

First World War memorial by Messrs Cole and Barton of Radstock. Erected in 1925, with later additions for the Second World War and the Iraq Conflict.

Reasons for Designation

Radstock War Memorial, erected in 1925 to a design by Messrs Cole and Barton, 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 and early C21.

Architectural interest:

* a Latin cross on top of a tall octagonal shaft, standing on an octagonal plinth.

Group value:

* with the Grade II-listed Radstock Market Hall.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw an unprecedented wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country, 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.

One such memorial was raised at Radstock, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Plans for a war memorial in Radstock started at a vestry meeting of St Nicholas’ Church, on 23 April 1919, for a memorial placed in the church. The Parochial Church Council struggled to raise funds, and the memorial was not finished until 1924. Also in 1924, a War Committee was formed, to raise funds for a new memorial, to be placed in Victoria Square.

The memorial was designed by Messrs Cole and Barton, of Radstock, constructed by Mr H J Tovey, of Midsomer Norton and the bronze panels were cast by Mr F Humphreys of Midsomer Norton. The monument cost £267 12s 3d.

The monument was unveiled on 17 June 1925, by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, the Marquis of Bath KG, and dedicated by Canon A N Bax (who was also chair of the War Committee).

Two plaques were added to the memorial following the Second World War, and a third added to commemorate a soldier killed in the Iraq Conflict. The memorial was moved to its present site in 2004, and renovated in 2014.

Details

First World War memorial by Messrs Cole and Barton of Radstock. Erected in 1925, with later additions for the Second World War and Iraq Conflict.

MATERIALS: Carved in Portland Stone, with bronze panels.

DESCRIPTION: The monument comprises a Latin cross on top of a tall, octagonal shaft. The top of the shaft (below the cross) is decorated with simple blind tracery. The shaft rises from an octagonal plinth that bears a number of memorial bronze plaques, and the plinth stands on three low steps, surrounded by a low iron railing.

The plaques are inscribed 1939 1945 / (NAMES) / CONTINUED ON OPPOSITE PANEL // (NAMES) // TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND IN GRATEFUL / REMEMBRANCE / OF THE / MEN OF RADSTOCK / WHO FELL IN DEFENCE / OF THEIR COUNTRY / 1914 1918 / 1939 1945 // (NAMES) // 1939 1945 / CONTINUED / (NAMES) // IRAQ CONFLICT / (NAME) / OF THE / ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS / (DATES) //.

Sources

Books and journals
'Radstock War Memorial Unveiled by the Marquis of Bath' in Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, , Vol. LXXII No 3808, (20 June 1925), 4
'Radstock War Memorial Unveiled' in Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, , Vol. 169 No 8555, (20 June 1925), 2
'Cross of Memory. Radstock Commemorates Her Sons' in Western Daily Press, , Vol. 135 No 22902, (18 June 1925), 4
Websites
Information on war memorials from the Imperial War Museum database, accessed 10 October 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/7399
Information on war memorials from the War Memorials Online database, accessed 10 October 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/115904/
Recent history of the memorial from the Midsomer Norton, Radstock and District Journal website, accessed 10 October 2017 from http://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/article.cfm?id=251&headline=Radstock%E2%80%99s%20Tribute%20to%20fallen%20heroes&searchyear=2014

Legal

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