Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Lavendon War Memorial, which stands at the junction of High Street and Olney Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
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.
Details
The Cornish granite memorial stands at the junction of High Street and Olney Road, adjacent to numerous Grade II-listed buildings and the Grade I-listed Church of St Michael. It comprises a Celtic wheel head cross on a tapered pedestal, standing on two steps: the immediate surrounding area is paved with crazy paving. The whole is enclosed by eight low granite pyramidal posts, carrying spiked chains.
End of official list entry
