Plumtree War Memorial

Summary

Plumtree War Memorial was unveiled by Major T P Barber DSO on 9 January 1921. The names of those who died in the Second World War have also been added.

Reasons for Designation

Plumtree War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* it is an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* it is a well-detailed war memorial in the form of a Celtic cross decorated with the sword of sacrifice.

Group value:

* it has group value with the Grade I listed Church of St Mary’s and the early C19 rectory and its gateway and wall, both listed at Grade II.

History

The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Previously, memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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.

The war memorial in Plumtree was unveiled by Major T P Barber DSO on 9 January 1921. The Venerable Archdeacon of Nottingham preached the sermon and dedicated the memorial. The name of George Taylor, who died in 1921 and is buried in the churchyard, was added to the memorial in 2014. The names of those who died in the Second World War have also been added.

Details

Plumtree War Memorial was unveiled by Major T P Barber DSO on 9 January 1921. The names of those who died in the Second World War have also been added.

MATERIALS: hewn granite.

PLAN: the memorial is located in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, to the west of the Grade I listed church.

EXTERIOR: it is in the form of a Celtic cross mounted on a rhomboid plinth and three-stepped base. The west face bears the sword of sacrifice in relief. The east face of the plinth is inscribed with the following: HALLOWED BE THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914 - 1919/ (Names)/ THE VICTOR HEROES REST IN MANY LANDS BUT HERE THE SYMBOL OF THEIR GLORY STANDS. The north face is inscribed 1939-1945/ (Names) / ALSO 1914-1919 / (Name).

Sources

Websites
UK Inventory of War Memorials, accessed 04 March 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/27268
Nottinghamshire County Council Roll of Honour, accessed 19 January 2019 from https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/WarMemorials/Details/23

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