Linslade War Memorial

Linslade Memorial Gardens, Mentmore road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2UR

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Overview

First World War memorial, erected 1920, with Second World War additions. It was re-erected in its current location in Linslade Memorial Gardens in 1948. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1467718
Date first listed:: 01-Apr-2020
List Entry Name:: Linslade War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Linslade Memorial Gardens, Mentmore road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2UR

Linslade War Memorial taken Dec 2022 — Uploaded by Yvonne Parker This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1467718
Date first listed:: 01-Apr-2020
List Entry Name:: Linslade War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Linslade Memorial Gardens, Mentmore road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2UR

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:: Linslade Memorial Gardens, Mentmore road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2UR

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

District:: Central Bedfordshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Leighton-Linslade
National Grid Reference:: SP9138624590

Summary

First World War memorial, erected 1920, with Second World War additions. It was re-erected in its current location in Linslade Memorial Gardens in 1948.

Reasons for Designation

Linslade War Memorial, erected in 1920 and moved to its current location in 1948, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events of this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form of a Latin cross.

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 erected at Linslade as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 41 local servicemen whom lost their lives during the conflict. It was unveiled by Dr Johnson Harris, Chairman of the Urban District Council, on 11 November 1920. The memorial originally stood at the junction of Old Road, Leighton Road and Wing Road. However, in 1947 it was removed to the premises of Messrs Geere and Company, monumental masons of Luton, for cleaning and repair. At the same time the names of the 20 local men who died in the Second World War were also added. Following the restoration work the memorial was re-erected in Linslade Memorial Gardens, Mentmore Road, in 1948.

Details

First World War memorial, erected 1920, with Second World War additions. It was re-erected in its current location in Linslade Memorial Gardens in 1948.

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial takes the form of a Latin cross mounted on a tall shaft which tapers in octagonal section from an octagonal plinth placed upon a three-stepped octagonal base. The whole stands on a deep, single-stepped, octagonal sub-base which was probably designed to be used as bench seating.

The dedications are inscribed on the plinth and the risers of the three-stepped base. The top step bears the inscription 'TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF LINSLADE WHO / GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR' while the plinth above contains the date '1914 / 1918' along with the names of the 41 local servicemen who died during the First Wold War. The middle step is inscribed with the date '1939 - 1945' and, with the bottom step, bears the names of the 20 local servicemen who died during the Second World War. The rear of the memorial bears the inscription 'MAY THEY REST / IN PEACE / AND AWAKE TO / A JOYFUL / RESURRECTION'.

Sources

Websites
Linsdale Memorial Gardens website , accessed 01 November 1919 from http://www.linsladememorialgardens.uk/sample-page/background/
Roll of Honour website - Linslade War Memorial , accessed 01 November 2019 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Buckinghamshire/Linslade.html
War Memorials Online - Linslade War Memorial, accessed 31 March 2020 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/267917/
War Memorials Register, Imperial War Museum - Linslade War Memorial , accessed 01 November 2019 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/7739

Legal

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