Figheldean War Memorial

c40m south of St Michael's Church, High Street, Figheldean, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8JL

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Overview

First World War memorial, 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:: 1451827
Date first listed:: 26-Jan-2018
List Entry Name:: Figheldean War Memorial
Statutory Address:: c40m south of St Michael's Church, High Street, Figheldean, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8JL

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451827
Date first listed:: 26-Jan-2018
List Entry Name:: Figheldean War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: c40m south of St Michael's Church, High Street, Figheldean, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8JL

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:: c40m south of St Michael's Church, High Street, Figheldean, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8JL

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

District:: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Figheldean
National Grid Reference:: SU1529347449

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Figheldean War Memorial, which stands on the High Street, 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 simple yet poignant war memorial cross in granite.

Group value:

* with the Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade II*), Crescent Cottage (Grade II) and Vine Cottage (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 Figheldean as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 20 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of nine parishioners who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Details

The memorial stands on a small grassed area on the main road through the village, outside the entrance gate to the Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade II*) and opposite Crescent Cottage and Vine Cottage (both Grade II). It comprises a granite Latin cross standing on a rough-hewn, tapering, plinth set on a square stone base. The surfaces of the front face of both the plinth and the base are dressed smooth, within which the inscriptions are recorded in black-painted incised lettering.

Incised at the bottom of the cross shaft are the dates 1914–1918. On the front face of the plinth the principal dedicatory inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WARS/ (20 NAMES)/ "THEY MADE THE GREAT SACRIFICE." On the front of the base the later inscription reads 1939-1945/ (9 NAMES).

The whole memorial stands on a large slab laid flush with the ground surface and it is surrounded on three sides by a low box hedge. The front of the memorial faces the main road and is approached by a flight of steps.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 23 May 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/194415/
War Memorials Register, accessed 23 May 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/69960

Legal

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