Summary

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

Description

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.

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.

Reasons for Listing

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.

Recommended Books

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  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
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  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments