Messingham War Memorial

Messingham War Memorial, Northfield Road (A159), Messingham, Scunthorpe, DN17 3RY

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

Overview

A First World War memorial, built after 1919; altered after the Second World War and the Yugoslav Wars. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1490975
Date first listed:: 22-Aug-2024
List Entry Name:: Messingham War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Messingham War Memorial, Northfield Road (A159), Messingham, Scunthorpe, DN17 3RY

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1490975
Date first listed:: 22-Aug-2024
List Entry Name:: Messingham War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Messingham War Memorial, Northfield Road (A159), Messingham, Scunthorpe, DN17 3RY

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:: Messingham War Memorial, Northfield Road (A159), Messingham, Scunthorpe, DN17 3RY

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

District:: North Lincolnshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Messingham
National Grid Reference:: SE8930804659

Summary

A First World War memorial, built after 1919; altered after the Second World War and the Yugoslav Wars.

Reasons for Designation

Messingham 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 memorial in the form of a square plinth topped with a 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 raised at Messingham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the twenty-three members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was unveiled in September 1920 in a ceremony attended by Lady Mabel Smith, Reverend Canon Walter Hicks, William Benhamin Hicks Loughton, and local parishioners.

An additional inscription to honour the nine parishioners who fell during the Second World War was subsequently added to the memorial. This was followed by a further inscription to honour the parishioner who lost their life during the 1991-1999 Yugoslav Wars.

Details

A First World War memorial, built after 1919; altered after the Second World War and the Yugoslav Wars.

PLAN: the memorial is constructed of Darley Dale stone with granite tablets, and is square on plan.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent roadside location towards the northern end of the village. It is formed of a two-stepped base, surmounted by a square plinth and pedestal, and topped with a cross. The cross face bears a relief carved crown, whilst below on the square base of the cross, is a relief carved wreath. Flanking the pedestal are relief carved flowers, and the pedestal bears inscribed granite tablets. A metal plaque bearing a further inscription is located on the front of the plinth.

The main inscription, in gold painted lettering on the west face of the plinth reads: IN/ Grateful Memory/ of/ THE MEN OF MESSINGHAM WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ AT THE CALL OF DUTY/ IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR 1914-1919./ (NAMES). North face: IN/ Memory/ of/ OTHERS OF MESSINGHAM/ WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES/ IN/ CONFLICTS SINCE 1945./ (NAME). South face: IN/ Grateful Memory/ of/ THE MEN OF MESSINGHAM/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ AT THE CALL OF DUTY IN THE/ GREAT WORLD WAR/ 1939-1945./ (NAMES). Below is inscribed: AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN/ AND IN THE MORNING/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The plaque below reads: THEIR NAME/ LIVETH FOR/ EVERMORE.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, accessed 11/06/2024 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/51745#
War Memorials Online, accessed 11/06/2024 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/215535

Legal

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