Chale War Memorial

Overview

Location

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

The Chale War Memorial 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 conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest: * as a well-executed example of one of the common forms of First World War memorials.

Group value: * with the adjoining Grade II* listed Church of St Andrew and associated Grade II listed churchyard monuments.

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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Chale as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. 

Until the installation of the current memorial in the churchyard, the church had a wooden war shrine against an exterior wall; this was moved inside the building. The cross was unveiled and dedicated by the Bishop of Southampton on 18 July 1920. It had been supplied by G Maile and Son of London at a cost of £135. An inscription for the Second World War and the names of six men, including two Home Guards who died in 1944 in a training accident, were added following that conflict.

G Maile and Sons were masons, sculptors and church furnishers (especially known for stained glass), based in Euston Road, London. They were responsible for numerous war memorials across the country.

Details

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Cornish granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located within the churchyard of the Grade II* listed Church of St Andrew some 5m to the north-east of the Church. Standing around 3.5m tall, it comprises a rough-hewn granite wheel-head cross standing on a tapering plinth with a two-stepped square base. A recessed panel to the front face of the plinth bears the inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1919/ (23 NAMES)/ GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT/ A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

A raked granite block set into the upper step of the base bears the later inscription, reading ALSO OF THOSE MEN OF CHALE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM IN/ THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945/ (6 NAMES with regiment/rank).

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum Register of War Memorials: 20687 Chale - Cross, accessed 6 February 2019 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/20687
Roll of Honour: Chale War Memorial, accessed 6 February 2019 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Hampshire/Chale.html
War Memorials Online: 199669 - Chale War Memorial, accessed 6 February 2019 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/199669

Legal

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