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Summary

Granite war memorial cross originally unveiled in 1920 to commemorate the local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the four fallen of that conflict.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1443712: Chittlehampton War Memorial

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WAR MEMORIAL (World War I to World War II - 1914 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Historic England, 2017, Chittlehampton War Memorial, Chittlehampton (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360203.

Notification that the war memorial has been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. It is now listed at Grade II.
It was recommended for listing 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: an elegant memorial cross with carved interlace patterns in the Celtic style;
Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Hieritha and a number of Grade II-listed churchyard
structures including the scheduled churchyard cross.

Historic England, 2017, Chittlehampton War Memorial, The churchyard, St Hieritha's Church, The
Square, Chittlehampton, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360022.

Historic England is considering the war memorial for listing and has produced a report setting out the factual information on which they will base their recommendation.
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 unveiled at Chittlehampton on 27
August 1920 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local
community, who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The unveiling was undertaken by Major General Sir Godfrey Williams and the memorial, which
was the work of Messrs Harry Hems and Sons of Exeter, was dedicated by Reverend CW
Bate. The memorial commemorates 20 local servicemen who died during the First World
War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the four
fallen of that conflict.
Details
MATERIALS: Granite memorial cross.
DESCRIPTION: Chittlehampton War Memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St
Hieritha (Grade I-listed), in close proximity to the Lych Gate and a number of churchyard
monuments (all Grade II-listed) and a listed and scheduled churchyard cross.
The war memorial consists of a tall granite wheel-head cross on a slender tapering shaft. The
cross head is decorated with interlace patterns carved in low relief. The cross rises from a
three-stepped octagonal base.
The inscriptions on the memorial are in raised lettering, located on the three steps of the base.
The principal dedication to the front face of the middle step reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND/ IN HONOURED MEMORY/ OF THOSE FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919. On the step below this is + LEST WE FORGET
+. The First World War names are listed on faces of the middle step, whilst the later Second
World War dedication and names are recorded on the top step.

Historic England, 2023, National Heritage List for England, 1443712 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365228.

Chittlehampton War Memorial. First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. The war memorial consists of a tall granite wheel-head cross on a slender tapering shaft. The cross head is decorated with interlace patterns carved in low relief. The cross rises from a three-stepped octagonal base. The inscriptions on the memorial are in raised lettering, located on the three steps of the base.
See listing description for full details.
Date first listed: 14th March 2017

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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