Grimston War Memorial Cross

c85m west of St John's Church, Main Street, Grimston, Leicestershire, LE14 3BZ

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Overview

First World War memorial cross, unveiled 1920. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1455454
Date first listed:: 27-Apr-2018
List Entry Name:: Grimston War Memorial Cross
Statutory Address:: c85m west of St John's Church, Main Street, Grimston, Leicestershire, LE14 3BZ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1455454
Date first listed:: 27-Apr-2018
List Entry Name:: Grimston War Memorial Cross
Statutory Address 1:: c85m west of St John's Church, Main Street, Grimston, Leicestershire, LE14 3BZ

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:: c85m west of St John's Church, Main Street, Grimston, Leicestershire, LE14 3BZ

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

County:: Leicestershire
District:: Melton (District Authority)
Parish:: Grimston
National Grid Reference:: SK6846321861

Summary

First World War memorial cross, unveiled 1920.

Reasons for Designation

Grimston War Memorial, which stands on Main 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 First World War.

Architectural interest:

* an unusual Portland stone war memorial cross which, having not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, retains its original design intent.

Group value:

* with the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade II*) and other nearby structures listed at 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 raised at Grimston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by eight members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was designed by the artist son of Mr Francis W Reckett (owner of the local estate). The memorial cross was one part of the scheme that also included erecting two identical brass plaques in the Parish Church and Wesleyan Church. The three memorials were dedicated during the same ceremony, led by Reverend Elgar Hicks. The cost of the whole scheme was met by public subscription. The memorial cross was unveiled on 7 April 1920 by Captain Reckitt, a nephew of Mr Francis Reckett.

Details

The war memorial stands in a memorial enclosure on the south side of Main Street, approximately 85m to the west of the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade II*-listed). Numerous Grade II-listed buildings stand in the vicinity. It comprises an approximately 2m tall Portland stone cross. The wheel-head cross with a short cross shaft stands on a pedestal. The stem of the pedestal, octagonal in section, supports a small tapering block, square on plan, from which rises the cross. The pedestal stands on a two-stepped base.

The principal dedicatory inscription on a plate attached to the front face of the central block reads GRIMSTON WAR MEMORIAL/ (8 NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918.

Sources

Websites
Leicestershire War Memorials, accessed 9 March 2018 from http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/memorials/view/494
War Memorials Register, accessed 9 March 2018 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/37792
Other
‘Grimston’s War Memorial: Unveiling Ceremony’, The Melton Mowbray Times, 16 April 1920, p3.

Legal

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