Godshill War Memorial

Church Hill, Godshill, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DR

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

A 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:: 1454309
Date first listed:: 09-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Godshill War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Church Hill, Godshill, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DR

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1454309
Date first listed:: 09-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Godshill War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Church Hill, Godshill, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DR

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:: Church Hill, Godshill, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DR

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

District:: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Godshill
National Grid Reference:: SZ5267481752

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Godshill War Memorial, Godshill, 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:

* in its simple but handsome form.

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

It commemorates 14 local servicemen who died during the First World War; following the Second World War a dedication was added to commemorate the four fallen of that conflict.

The memorial was originally located on School Road but was relocated in 2000.

Details

Godshill War Memorial is located in the memorial garden on Church Hill.

It consists of a limestone pillar with a pyramidal cap. The pillar is square in section with chamfered corners and the front face is carved with a downward pointing sword of sacrifice and a wreath. The pillar rises from a tapering square plinth with chamfered corners on a stepped base.

The front face of the plinth carries the inscription TO THE GLORY OF/ GOD AND SACRED/ TO THE MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF/ GODSHILL WHO DIED/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. The names of the fallen from the First World War are incised into the other faces of the plinth. The top step is further incised 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).

The memorial is approached by a shingle path across an area of green and is surrounded by a low metal post and chain link fence.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum, inventory of war memorails: Godshill War Memorial, accessed 29 January 2018 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/21806
Isle of Wight Memorials, accessed 29 January 2018 from http://www.isle-of-wight-memorials.org.uk/towns/godshillindex.htm
War Memorials Online, Godshill War Memorial, accessed 29 January 2018 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/102284

Legal

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