Duffield War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Duffield War Memorial, which stands outside St Alkmund’s Church on Church Drive in Duffield, 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 sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as a simple but elegant and well-executed Derbyshire gritstone Latin cross.

Group value:

* with the Church of St Alkmund (Grade I) and gate piers at the north-west entrance to churchyard (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 Duffield 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 22 local servicemen who died during the First World War and it was unveiled on 1 May 1921 by Admiral Sir Frederick Inglefield and dedicated by Reverend Eddison. It was designed by Messrs Naylor and Sale, Derby who were also responsible for the Grade II-listed war memorial at St Giles’ Church, Normanton. The memorial cost £372. 5s. 9d to erect with a further £5 being paid for the land.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 20 fallen of that conflict. 

In 2015 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Details

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Derbyshire gritstone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located close to St Alkmund's Church on Church Drive in Duffield, Derbyshire. It comprises a Derbyshire gritstone Latin cross on a square plinth set on a three-stepped base. There is a low metal railing running around the middle step. The inscription is incised lettering painted black on the plinth commemorating those who died in the two World Wars.

The front face of the plinth is incised TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF/ THIS PARISH WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ 1914 – 18 AND 1939 – 45 WARS. Below this on the top step in relief-carved raised lettering is THE GLORY DIES NOT. The other faces of the plinth carry the names of the fallen preceded by either ROLL OF HONOUR 1914 – 1918 WAR or ROLL OF HONOUR 1939 – 1945 WAR.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Trust, accessed 2 May 2017 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1333
War Memorials Online, accessed 2 May 2017 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/134104
War Memorial Register, accessed 2 May 2017 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/55398

Other
‘Duffield Heroes: Permanent Parish Memorial Unveiled Near Church Gates’, Derby Daily Telegraph, (2 May 1921), 3

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