Hunsdon War Memorial

Junction of High Street and Acorn Street, Hunsdon, East Hertfordshire, SG12 8NZ

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Overview

A First World War memorial, unveiled 21 November 1921 with later plaque commemorating the fallen of the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1469270
Date first listed:: 16-Apr-2021
List Entry Name:: Hunsdon War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Junction of High Street and Acorn Street, Hunsdon, East Hertfordshire, SG12 8NZ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1469270
Date first listed:: 16-Apr-2021
List Entry Name:: Hunsdon War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Junction of High Street and Acorn Street, Hunsdon, East Hertfordshire, SG12 8NZ

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:: Junction of High Street and Acorn Street, Hunsdon, East Hertfordshire, SG12 8NZ

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

County:: Hertfordshire
District:: East Hertfordshire (District Authority)
Parish:: Hunsdon
National Grid Reference:: TL4176214075

Summary

A First World War memorial, unveiled 21 November 1921 with later plaque commemorating the fallen of the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Hunsdon 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 local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* a simple yet elegant example of a granite wheel-head cross.

Group value:

* with The Crown Public House (Grade II) and the Village Hall (Grade II) and other listed buildings along the High Street.

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 Hunsdon as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 18 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was made by Mr C Smith and unveiled on 21 November 1921 and dedicated by Bishop Hodges. Historic photographs show that it was once enclosed by low posts and chains but these have since been removed.

A plaque was later added to the memorial commemorating seven of the fallen who died in the Second World War.

The cleaning and repair of the memorial was financed by the Parish Council in 2000.

Details

A First World War memorial, unveiled 21 November 1921 with later plaque commemorating the fallen of the Second World War.

MATERIALS: granite.

DESCRIPTION: Hunsdon War Memorial stands on a paved base and takes the form of a rough hewn granite Celtic wheel-head cross incorporating smooth polished areas which bear the inscriptions.

At the bottom of the shaft on the north face, the dedication reads: IN / HONOURED MEMORY / OF / THE MEN OF / HUNSDON / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1919. On the north face of the plinth are inscribed the names of the 18 First World War fallen.

This inscription is repeated on the base of the shaft on the south face: IN / HONOURED MEMORY / OF / THE MEN OF / HUNSDON / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1939 – 1945. Set into the plinth on the south face are the seven names of the fallen from the Second World War.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register - Imperial War Museum, accessed 6 February 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/3744

Legal

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