Summary

A First World War memorial, erected in 1921; later additions for the Second World War and Suez Crisis.

Description

A First World War memorial, dating to 1921; with later additions for the Second World War and Suez Crisis.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is constructed from stone and is octagonal in plan. It memorial stands in a prominent roadside location, within the north end of the churchyard of the Church of St James (National Heritage List for England entry 1308892).

The memorial is in the form of a tall cross with tapering shaft, with a sword carved onto its west face. Both the top and arms of the cross have flared ends. The cross stands on an octagonal plinth and set of three octagonal steps.

The inscription is carved into the plinth and steps of the memorial and is as follows:

West face, plinth: TO THOSE WHO/ FROM THIS PLACE/ LAID DOWN THEIR/ LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WARS/ 1914 1918/ 1939 1945. The names of the 28 fallen WWI soldiers are listed on two plinth faces to either side of this. On the step below this are the names of the eight fallen Second World War soldiers. West face, middle step: SUEZ – 1956 (the name of a single soldier is listed beneath this).

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 Spilsby, Lincolnshire as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 28 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial is located within the church yard of the Church of Saint James. It takes the form of a large cross with carved sword to its west face. It stands on an octagonal plinth and set of three steps. The design of the memorial takes its inspiration from the Cross of Sacrifice erected on the British cemeteries in France and Flanders, from the design of Sir Reginald Blomfield. Blomfield was the Chief Architect to the War Graves Commission.

The memorial was unveiled in March 1921 by Major-General Sir A R Hoskins, K C B, C M G, D SO.

Two additional inscriptions were subsequently added to the memorial. The first to honour the eight parishioners who fell during the Second World War, and second to honour a parishioner who fell during the Suez Crisis.

Reasons for Listing

Spilsby 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 good example of a well-carved cross, with relief carved decoration.

Recommended Books

• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)