Black Torrington War Memorial

Black Torrington War Memorial, Broad Street, Junction with Victoria Road, Black Torrington, Torridge, EX21 5PT

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Overview

A First World War memorial, built in 1920; altered after the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1452556
Date first listed:: 19-Dec-2017
List Entry Name:: Black Torrington War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Black Torrington War Memorial, Broad Street, Junction with Victoria Road, Black Torrington, Torridge, EX21 5PT

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1452556
Date first listed:: 19-Dec-2017
List Entry Name:: Black Torrington War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Black Torrington War Memorial, Broad Street, Junction with Victoria Road, Black Torrington, Torridge, EX21 5PT

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:: Black Torrington War Memorial, Broad Street, Junction with Victoria Road, Black Torrington, Torridge, EX21 5PT

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

County:: Devon
District:: Torridge (District Authority)
Parish:: Black Torrington
National Grid Reference:: SS4655705456

Summary

A First World War memorial, built in 1920; altered after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Black Torrington 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 made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* for its design, a well-executed granite cross.

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 750,000 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 Black Torrington, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was unveiled on 27 July 1920 by Colonel C E English and was dedicated by the Venerable Archdeacon of Totnes. The land the memorial sits on was given by the lord of the manor, Colonel Coham-Fleming.

The memorial commemorates eight local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the six men who fell in that conflict.

Details

A First World War memorial, built in 1920; altered after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial consists of a rough-hewn Latin cross, set on tapering shaft, which terminates in a tapering square plinth on a two stepped base.

The inscriptions are on recessed panels on the face of the plinth. The main inscription on the front face reads: IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES). The side face is inscribed: 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the memorial stands on a green, with shallow steps bounded by rounded-topped edging stones leading up to it. The edge of the green is delineated by tapering, square-section pylons joined by metal link fencing; the entrance to the green, at the foot of the steps, is a gateway with larger versions of the pylons as piers, and a wrought-iron pedestrian gate.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museums War Memorials Register – Black Torrington (25839) , accessed 15.11.2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/25839
War Memorials Online Database, Black Torrington WMO213060 , accessed 15 November 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/213060/
Other
‘Unveiled at Black Torrington’, Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 30 July 1920, p. 13

Legal

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