Hertford Heath War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial with names added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Hertford Heath 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 the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest

* as a well-executed war memorial with finely carved decoration.

History

The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Before this, memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, which was the first major war following reforms to the British Army, leading to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, 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 Hertford Heath in 1920 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Funding for the erection of the memorial was provided by a churchyard fund and the balance of their donation was generously met by Mrs Florence Barclay. The unveiling took place on the 28 November when villagers gathered at the Church of Hertford Heath for hymns and then proceeded down the hill to the memorial. The Band of the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment was also present during the proceedings which began with an address, followed by the unveiling and dedication, and the playing of the ‘Last Post’. After that there was a placement of wreaths around the memorial, a final hymn and benediction. The unveiling was then closed to the sound of ‘Reveille’. The names of ten men who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

A historic photograph from about 1955 shows that the memorial was surrounded by a post and chain fence, but this has since been removed and a concrete platform laid.

Details

First World War memorial with names added after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: stone.

PLAN: the memorial is in a prominent location on a green at the B1197 junction with Vicarage Causeway.

EXTERIOR: the memorial takes the form of a Celtic stone cross with carved Celtic decoration on the ring, which is mounted atop a plinth, on a three-stepped square base. It is a copy of the cross of St Martin at Iona.
On the front of the cross, just above the plinth is the following inscription: TO / THE GLORIOUS / AND UNDYING / MEMORY OF THE / MEN OF HERTFORD HEATH / WHO GAVE THEIR / LIVES FOR / KING AND COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. The names of the fallen from the First World War are found on all four faces of the plinth, providing their forename and surname.

The front face of the top step of the square base is inscribed GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS; THAT / A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. Below this on the sides of the second step are the names of those who fell during the Second World War.

The concrete platform upon which the memorial is placed is not original and is excluded from the listing.

Sources

Websites
Hertford Heath Parish Council, accessed 10 May 2024 from https://hertfordheathparishcouncil.gov.uk/the-parish/landmarks/
IWM War Memorial Register, accessed 10 May 2024 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/34673
Herts Memories, accessed 16 May 2024 from https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/topics/world_war_one/hertford_heath_-_28th_november_1920
War Memorials Online, accessed 7 June 2024 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/89741/
The Francis Frith Collection, accessed 14 June 2024 from https://www.francisfrith.com/hertford-heath/hertford-heath-the-war-memorial-and-london-road-c1955_h256010

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