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Summary

Memorial to the fallen of World War I, with the additional name of sailor killed in World War II.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1448221: Bigbury War Memorial

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WAR MEMORIAL (World War I to XX - 1914 AD to 2000 AD (Between))

Full description

Bluesky, 2006 - 2007, Bluesky aerial photographs 2006 - 2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV341189.

Walls, S., 2010, The Materiality of Remembrance: Twentieth Century War Memorials in Devon, Figure 5.3c; BIG01 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV355902.

Brine, M. E., 2013, War Memorials, Photo (Website). SDV351333.

Bigbury 1914-1918 war memorial.

Imperial War Museum, 2014, War Memorials Archive, 55579 (Website). SDV356253.

Granite cross on a plinth with stone base. The names of those lost in the First World War are on the front of the memorial, and the name of a Second World War sailor killed in 1940 is shown on the side of the memorial.
Inscription: TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ LOVING MEMORY/ OF THOSE WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (11 names)/ 1939-1945/ (1 name).

Historic England, 2017, Bigbury War Memorial Cross, The churchyard, St Lawrence's Church, Bigbury, Devon (Correspondence). SDV360234.

Historic England is currently considering whether the war memorial has special architectural or historic interest. They have completed a consultation report which sets out the factual information of the site upon which they will base their decision.
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 which meant that the memorials provided the
main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
Memorials were raised at Bigbury as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the
members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. A memorial hall
was built in the neighbouring hamlet of St Anne’s Chapel, whilst a cross was raised in the
churchyard at the parish church. The cross commemorates 11 local servicemen who died in
the First World War, and one sailor in the Merchant Marine who died in the Second World
War.
Details
The granite memorial cross stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Lawrence (Grade
II*-listed), close to the Grade II-listed Gate Piers, Gate and Walls at the east entrance to St
Lawrence. It takes the form of a Latin cross rising from a plain foot, square on plan, standing
on a slightly tapering pedestal. The pedestal stands on a two-stepped base within a low
square kerb.
The principal dedicatory inscriptions recorded on the front face of the cross shaft’s foot reads
TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ LOVING MEMORY/ OF THOSE WHO GAVE/ THEIR
LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. The First World War names are listed to the
front face of the pedestal, recorded with rank, service, age and date of death. The single
Second World War name is recorded to one side of the pedestal.

Historic England, 2017, Bigbury War Memorial, in the churchyard of the Church of St Lawrence, Bigbury (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360320.

Having considered our recommendation, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has decided to add Bigbury War Memorial Cross to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

The memorial is situated in the churchyard of the Church of St Lawrence (Grade II*-listed), close to the Grade II-listed Gate Piers, Gate and Walls at the east entrance to St Lawrence. It is within Bigbury Conservation Area and South Devon AONB. There are no known threats to the memorial.

This is a simple yet poignant example of the cross type of war memorial, in granite. Standing close to the Grade II*-listed Church of St Lawrence and the Grade II-listed Gate Piers, Gate and Walls at the east entrance to St Lawrence, it commemorates those local servicemen who died in both the First and also the Second World War. Overall, it is considered that the memorial has special architectural and historic interest and meets the criteria for listing.

CONCLUSION
After examining all the available records and other relevant information, and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are fulfilled. Bigbury War Memorial Cross is therefore recommended for listing at Grade II.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION
Bigbury War Memorial Cross, which stands in St Lawrence’s churchyard, is recommended for listing at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:
As an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;

Architectural interest:
A simple yet poignant memorial cross in granite;

Group value:
With the Grade II*-listed Church of St Lawrence and the Grade II-listed Gate Piers, Gate and Walls at the
east entrance to St Lawrence.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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