Summary
A First World War memorial, 1920, designed by Mr Laurence Turner, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Wickham War Memorial, erected in 1920 and designed by Laurence Turner, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: * as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20. Architectural interest: * as a simple, yet poignant cross, with ornate carvings to the head. Group value: * with the adjacent Church of St Nicholas, listed at Grade II*, and numerous Grade II-listed funerary monuments within the churchyard.
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 unveiled at Wickham 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 designed and made by Mr Laurence Turner to commemorate the 48 local servicemen who fell in the First World War. It was unveiled on 18 July 1920 by Major-General Sir C Herbert Powell. Following the Second World War an inscription was added to commemorate the Fallen of that conflict.
Details
MATERIALS: Portland limestone cross. DESCRIPTION: Wickham War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Nicholas on Southwick Road, Wickham. It consists of a Portland stone Latin cross detailed with crockets. The cross rises on a slim octagonal shaft which stands on a square plinth with carved roses running around the top of the plinth. The memorial has an octagonal three-stepped base. The plinth is incised with the names of the fallen from the First World War. Around the top step in raised lettering is 1914 - 1919 TO/ THE GLORIOUS/ MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF/ WICKHAM WHO/ FOUGHT AND/ FELL FOR FAITH/ AND FREEDOM. The Second World War names have been added to a face of the bottom step and are preceded by 1939 - 1945.
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