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Summary

Memorial to the fallen of both World Wars.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1449685: Instow 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.

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

Instow's War memorial stands at the very heart of the burial ground surrounding the church of St. John the Baptist. The memorial consists of a simple granite cross standing on a triple plinth; names and inscriptions are inscribed on the four faces of the upper level of the plinth which is square.

Cantle, P., 2014, Instow War Memorial (Ground Photograph). SDV357011.

Photograph of restored war memorial. Inscription: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/AND IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS/AND MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE/THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND/COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR.

Historic England, 2017, Instow War Memorial, The churchyard, c35m to the north-east of the church, The Church of St John the Baptist, Instow, Bideford, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360336.

Historic England is currently considering the memorial for listing as part of their First World War Commemoration project. 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. One such memorial was raised at Instow as a
permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost
their lives in the First World War.
During 1919 local meetings were held to make plans for a suitable war memorial for the
village. A proposal to erect the memorial on the quay was turned down in favour of the
churchyard: a granite cross was to be put up there, with a tablet in the Wesleyan Chapel, and
a “victory memorial” on the quay. The memorial cross was unveiled in May 1921 by Private
John Barrett and dedicated by the Bishop of Crediton, in commemoration of the 12 local
servicemen who had died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the
names of nine men who died in that conflict were added.
Details
The Devon granite memorial stands on high ground in the churchyard of the Church of St
John the Baptist (Grade I) and in close proximity to a number of Grade II-listed churchyard
monuments and the lych gate. It takes the form of a plain Latin cross rising from a small
pedestal, square on plan, that stands on a two-stepped octagonal base.
The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the pedestal reads TO THE GLORY
OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS/ AND MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE/
THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND/ COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR. The
commemorated names are listed on the other faces of the pedestal with, above the

Historic England, 2017, Instow War Memorial, The Churchyard, c35m to the north-east of the church, The Church of St John the Baptist, Instow, Bideford, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360476.

Historic England, 2017, National Heritage List for England, 1449685 (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

Instow War Memorial.
Summary of Building
First World War memorial cross, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War..
Reasons for Designation
Instow War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, is listed 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 conflicts of the C20. Architectural interest:
* a simple yet poignant granite cross, standing in a commanding position.
Group value:
* with the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade I) and in close proximity to a number of Grade II-listed churchyard monuments and the lych gate.
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. One such memorial was raised at Instow as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
During 1919 local meetings were held to make plans for a suitable war memorial for the village. A proposal to erect the memorial on the quay was turned down in favour of the churchyard: a granite cross was to be put up there, with a tablet in the Wesleyan Chapel, and a “victory memorial” on the quay. The memorial cross was unveiled in May 1921 by Private John Barrett and dedicated by the Bishop of Crediton, in commemoration of the 12 local servicemen who had died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of nine men who died in that conflict were added. The memorial was refurbished in 2014.
Details
The Devon granite memorial stands on high ground in the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade I) and in close proximity to a number of Grade II-listed churchyard monuments and the lych gate. It takes the form of a plain Latin cross rising from a small pedestal, square on plan, that stands on a two-stepped octagonal base.
The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the pedestal reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS/ AND MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND/ COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR. The commemorated names are listed on the other faces of the pedestal with, above the Second World War names, 1939 - GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY – 1945.
Date first listed: 18th October 2017

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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