Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates

Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates, approximately 600m east of Chyknell Hall, Digbeth Lane, Chyknell, Bridgnorth, WV15 5PP

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Overview

A First World War memorial in the form of a triptych, and a pair of memorial gates, constructed before 1926. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1486557
Date first listed:: 15-Jun-2023
List Entry Name:: Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates
Statutory Address:: Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates, approximately 600m east of Chyknell Hall, Digbeth Lane, Chyknell, Bridgnorth, WV15 5PP

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1486557
Date first listed:: 15-Jun-2023
List Entry Name:: Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates
Statutory Address 1:: Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates, approximately 600m east of Chyknell Hall, Digbeth Lane, Chyknell, Bridgnorth, WV15 5PP

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:: Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates, approximately 600m east of Chyknell Hall, Digbeth Lane, Chyknell, Bridgnorth, WV15 5PP

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

District:: Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Claverley
National Grid Reference:: SO7836293241

Summary

A First World War memorial in the form of a triptych, and a pair of memorial gates, constructed before 1926.

Reasons for Designation

Chyknell War Memorial and pair of memorial gates are 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 timber triptych enclosed in a small memorial garden featuring a pair of well-crafted gates.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest ever single wave of public commemoration, 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 the official policy of not repatriating the dead. Therefore, the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

Chyknell War Memorial, also referred to as Claverley War Memorial, was constructed to commemorate members of the Claverley Parish who lost their lives in the First World War. It stands at the principal east entrance to the Chyknell Estate. It is not known when the memorial was constructed but it is annotated on OS maps by 1926. An inscription at the base of the monument notes that it was 'Erected by E.T. Chyknell'. The war memorial was restored in 2021 at which time sections of wood and roof shingles were replaced and the inscriptions regilded.

Details

A First World War memorial in the form of a triptych, and a pair of gates, constructed before 1926.

MATERIALS AND PLAN: the war memorial is located at the entrance to the Chyknell Estate and faces east towards Digbeth Lane. It is set within a small, square, partially paved remembrance garden, bounded by a hedge and entered through a pair of wooden gates approached by three sandstone steps. The memorial is constructed of timber, with a shingle roof, and is set on a square plinth of coursed, rough-hewn sandstone, surmounting a square base of bullnosed sandstone slabs.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is composed of a gabled triptych surmounting a capped plinth set on a slightly raised base. The gabled roof is supported on timber corbels. Set beneath the gable is a relief carving of two kneeling angels, with gold halos and a sun rising between them, holding a shield bearing the gilded words, ‘AFTER THE DARKNESS LIGHT’. Below this are three hardwood panels supported on carved brackets. The outer two leaves fold slightly inwards and are inscribed with the dates ‘AUG 4th 1914’ and ‘NOV 11th 1918’. The central panel features a roll of honour recording the surname, rank, initials and regiment of the fallen. Below is a further panel inscribed with the words ‘MEN OF CLAVERLEY’. Four later metal plaques are fixed to the reverse of the triptych, listing the names of the local men who served, below the inscription ‘THESE MEN SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR’.

The pair of slatted timber gates to the remembrance garden have cambered top rails featuring the inscription ‘THE PLACE OF REMEBERANCE’.

Sources

Websites
IWM War Memorials Register ref: 57293, accessed 15 May 2023 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/57293
War Memorial Trust grant scheme for Claverley (Chyknell) War Memorial, accessed 6 June 2023 from https://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1764
War Memorials Online, WMO/255880, accessed 15 May 2023 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/255880
Other
Shropshire Council HER, Ref 31564, Chyknell War Memorial.

Legal

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