Broughton Astley War Memorial

Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley, Harborough, Leicestershire, LE9 6PF

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Overview

First World War memorial, erected 1921, with later addition for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1466294
Date first listed:: 27-Sep-2019
List Entry Name:: Broughton Astley War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley, Harborough, Leicestershire, LE9 6PF

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1466294
Date first listed:: 27-Sep-2019
List Entry Name:: Broughton Astley War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley, Harborough, Leicestershire, LE9 6PF

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley, Harborough, Leicestershire, LE9 6PF

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Leicestershire
District:: Harborough (District Authority)
Parish:: Broughton Astley
National Grid Reference:: SP5256192808

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Broughton Astley 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 this community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as a thoughtfully-designed commemorative structure with good-quality carvings.

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, 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.

One such memorial was raised at Broughton Astley, funded by public subscription, to commemorate 33 parishioners who lost their lives during the conflict. It was unveiled on 16 July 1921 by Lord Denbigh; although the ceremony took place before the surrounding garden was fully laid out. Its design is similar to the war memorials at Gumley Park and Aylestone (both Grade II) which were designed by JH Morcom, a well-regarded local sculptor who was responsible for a number of memorials, however, the Broughton Astley example has not been identified as a work by him and remains unattributed.

The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Details

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

DESCRIPTION The war memorial is square on plan and carved from limestone. It comprises an undecorated, infilled wheel-head cross on a tall, tapering shaft with a foliate decorated square collar, a plinth and a two-stepped base. It stands on a square concrete base. The front face of the shaft carries a recessed, relief carving of the sword of sacrifice and one of a laurel wreath at the base of the shaft. The plinth has inset slate panels to each face, and the dedicatory inscription on the front (north-west) face reads:

ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS OF/ BROUGHTON-ASTLEY/ IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE/ TO IT THAT THEIR NAMES BE NOT/ FORGOTTEN.

The names of the fallen are recorded on the other three faces. A plaque on the upper step of the base is inscribed: 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES).

The war memorial stands within a landscaped garden.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museums, Broughton Astley, WM Reference 27475, accessed 7 August 2019 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/37475
Leicestershire War Memorials Project, Memorial Cross – Broughton Astley, accessed 7 August 2019 from http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/memorials/view/202
War Memorials Online, Broughton Astley War Memorial, Reference WMO86961, accessed 7 August 2019 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/86961

Legal

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