Summary
First World War memorial obelisk, unveiled 1923, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Simpson War Memorial Obelisk, which stands outside the parish church, 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. One such memorial was raised at Simpson as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 11 members of the local community who died in the First World War.
Details
The war memorial stands on the verge just outside the churchyard, approximately 12m to the west of the Church of St Thomas (Grade II*-listed). It is in close proximity to neighbouring Grade II-listed buildings. The approximately 3m tall Cornish granite memorial takes the form of a scappled obelisk, square on plan, standing on a pedestal with a chamfered base. The west face of the pedestal carries the inscription LEST WE FORGET/ 1914 - 1918. An angled granite stone set in front of the base carries the commemorated names, reading 1914 – 1918/ (11 NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945/ (6 NAMES).
End of official list entry
