Summary
First World War memorial Calvary cross, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Nantwich War Memorial, which stands on the High Street, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
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.
Details
The memorial is located on the High Street, at the western edge of the grounds of the Church of St Mary (Grade I), within a public area surrounded by a number of listed buildings. It takes the form of a stone Calvary cross which stands to approximately 4m in height. At the top a hood shelters the carved crucifixion. The cross head rises from the heavily moulded collar of an octagonal shaft: the collar incorporates sculptural features including the bust of the Virgin Mary.
End of official list entry
