If you have any queries regarding this record please contact us at HERecord@Worcestershire.gov.uk for County records (WSM) and archaeology@worcester.gov.uk for City records (WCM)

Monument Types

• WAR MEMORIAL (20TH CENTURY AD to 21ST CENTURY AD - 1920 AD to 2050 AD)

Protected Status

• Listed Building
• Listed Building

Full description

Stone, square base surmounted by plinth, pedestal, tapering shaft & decorated Latin cross, inscription on the sides of the pedestal and plinth, metal railings surround the memorial, 54 names, WW1 & WW2. Dedicated 4 December 1920.[1][2]

The war memorial was listed at Grade II on the 26th October 2018.

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, 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 war memorial was raised at Aston Fields as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Aston Fields was dedicated on 4 December 1920. It is shown on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1927. The memorial was altered later and commemorates the local servicemen who fell in both First and Second World Wars, and all those who gave their lives in those conflicts. In 1990 the railings were restored.

Details:

MATERIALS: constructed of stone with metal railings.

DESCRIPTION: a war memorial cross with a square base surmounted by a plinth, pedestal and tapering shaft with a decorate Latin cross. Metal railings surround the memorial.

The front face of the plinth is inscribed: IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR /1914-1918/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ ALSO TO THOSE WHO FELL/ 1939-1945. The other faces are also inscribed: (NAMES).

Reasons for designation:

Aston Fields War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:
* As an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the simple form of a cross mounted on steps;
* The restored railings add to its visual interest.

Historic interest:
* As an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the 20th century. [3]

Sources and further reading

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.