Measham War Memorial Cross

Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7LQ

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

A First World War memorial dating to about 1920 with additions after the Second World War and the Iraq War of 2003-2011. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1469834
Date first listed:: 29-May-2020
List Entry Name:: Measham War Memorial Cross
Statutory Address:: Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7LQ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1469834
Date first listed:: 29-May-2020
List Entry Name:: Measham War Memorial Cross
Location Description:: Bosworth Road, Measham, opposite the junction with St Charles Close.
Statutory Address 1:: Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7LQ

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:: Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7LQ

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

County:: Leicestershire
District:: North West Leicestershire (District Authority)
Parish:: Measham
National Grid Reference:: SK3372912042

Summary

A First World War memorial dating to about 1920 with additions after the Second World War and the Iraq War of 2003-2011.

Reasons for Designation

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

Architectural interest:

* as a good example of a stone memorial cross, with good quality detailing.

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20 and C21.

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 Measham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 44 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of the 11 parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial, as was the name of a fallen serviceman from the Iraq War of 2003-2011.

Both cross and garden were designed by the architect Mr Harry Swanwick of Coalville. The cross was made by Wells and Co, Leicestershire, the builders were Botterill and Sons of Ravenstone. The memorial cross is set within a garden of remembrance, enclosed by fencing and hedges. A tree was planted for each serviceman lost in the two World Wars; 44 lime trees for the First World War and 10 almond trees for the Second World War. These plantings are described on a plaque on a low angled stone at the edge of the brick paving apron south-east of the cross. The cross and garden were unveiled and dedicated on 21 May 1921. The ceremony was attended by the Countess of Loudon.

Details

A First World War memorial dating to about 1920 with additions after the Second World War and the Iraq War of 2003-2011.

MATERIALS: Portland stone with Welsh slate plaques and a bronze wreath.

DESCRIPTION: The cross has arms of equal length with flared feet (a cross patée) and is superimposed with a shield enclosed by a circular wreath. It is supported by a tapering octagonal column upon an octagonal plinth. There is a bronze wreath at the base of the column shaft. The plinth is divided by a horizontal moulding into a taller upper section and shorter lower section. The First World War plaques are on the upper section of the plinth, the Second World War and Iraq War plaques are on the lower section. The plinth is set on a base of three octagonal steps. The whole stands on a circular brick apron.

The plaques read:

First World War: Centre plaque: THEY / LIE DEAD IN / MANY LANDS, / SO THAT YOU / MAY LIVE / HERE / IN PEACE. Plaques 2-8: (NAMES)

Second World War: Centre plaque:1939-45 / (3 NAMES). Flanking plaques: (8 NAMES)

Iraq War: IRAQ 2006 / (1 NAME) / ROYAL ANGLIAN REGT.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register (Cross), accessed 10 March 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/14833
Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register (Garden), accessed 10 March 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/14834
Leicestershire County Council War Memorials Project (Cross), accessed 10 March 2020 from http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/memorials/view/761
Leicestershire County Council War Memorials Project (Garden), accessed 10 March 2020 from http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/memorials/view/760
War Memorials Online, accessed 10 March 2020 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/255461/

Legal

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