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Summary

The war memorial is unusual in that it also includes the names of those who died in the Boer War as well as the First and Second World Wars.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1448454: Broadhembury Parish Memorial Cross, Village Square, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon

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

Walls, S., 2010, The Materiality of Remembrance: Twentieth Century War Memorials in Devon, 219-20; Figure 6.4b; BRO01 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV355902.

The First World War memorial cross at Broadhembury is exceptional in having a South African War casualty (Private E. Perry) included upon the memorial.

Read, A., + Trick, S., 2013, Blackdown Hills AONB War Memorials (Report - Survey). SDV352538.

Tall plain stone cross set on two octagonal base stones which are covered in the names of the dead from the First World War and Boer War. Second World War names are on the bottom right of the main cross.
'Boer War 1898-1902 [names][First World War][names] 1939-1945 [names] 1914-1919
In grateful memory of the men of this parish who sacrificed their lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it, that their names are not forgotten.

HMS INDEFATIGABLE,S.S. ARANDORA STAR'
Unusual to include Boer War dead. A well maintained memorial.
18 names recorded.
Condition: Very good, no missing letters, little weathering
Surveyed: 18/07/2013

Read, A., 2013, Broadhembury War Memorial (Ground Photograph). SDV356561.

Google, 2013, Google Streetview (Website). SDV350787.

Ordnance Survey, 2013, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV350786.

'War Memorial' marked.

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

Broadhembury war memorial was dedicated on the 22 August 1921, at which time a plaque was added commemorating Private Perry, who had died in the Boer War.

Historic England, 2017, Broadhembury Parish Memorial Cross, Village Square, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon (Correspondence). SDV360238.

Notification that Historic England is currently considering the memorial for listing as part of its First World War Commemoration project and has completed a consultation report setting out the factual information 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.
A memorial cross, as well as a memorial hall, was raised at Broadhembury as a permanent
testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in
the First World War. The cross, supplied by Messrs J Easton and Sons of Exeter, was
unveiled on 21 August 1921. As well as the details of 12 men who died during the First World
War, the cross included the name of one man who had died whilst on service during the
Second Boer War. Following the Second World War the names of five men who died in that
conflict were added to the cross.
Details
The Devonshire granite cross stands in a small enclosure at the road junction opposite the
Drewe Arms (Grade II*-listed), and close to a number of Grade II-listed buildings in the village
centre. The plain Latin cross rises from a tapering pedestal, which stands on a two-stepped
octagonal base.
The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the pedestal reads 1914 – 1919/ IN
GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES/
THAT OTHERS/ MIGHT LIVE IN FREEDOM/ LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE TO IT,/
THAT THEIR NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN. The First World War names are recorded on
faces of the upper step, whilst the Second World War details are recorded on the south face
of the pedestal. The Boer War soldier is recorded on the front face of the lower step.
The enclosure, raised from the road level, is demarcated by a rubble-stone wall to the rear
with, to the front, low metal posts carrying a spiked chain.

Historic England, 2017, Broadhembury Parish Memorial Cross, Village Square, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360327.

Culture, Media and Sport has decided to add Broadhembury Parish Memorial Cross to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

After examining all the records and other relevant information, and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are fulfilled. Broadhembury Parish War Memorial Cross is therefore recommended for listing at Grade II.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION
Broadhembury War Memorial, which stands at the road junction in the centre of the village, 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
made in the Boer War and the conflicts of the C20;

Architectural interest:
As a simple yet poignant memorial cross standing in a memorial enclosure;

Group value:
With The Drewe Arms Including Curved Wall Adjoining At North West (Grade II*) and numerous Grade
II-listed buildings.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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