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Summary

Blackawton war memorial cross commemorating ten local servicemen who died in the First World War. A further four names were added after the Second World War.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1448224: Blackawton War Memorial

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WAR MEMORIAL (XX - 1901 AD to 2000 AD (Between))

Full description

Walls, S., 2010, The Materiality of Remembrance: Twentieth Century War Memorials in Devon, 184; Figure 5.55c; BLW01 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV355902.

The Blackawton war memorial cross is clearly defined by a large raised paved area with boundary wall, while other commemorative elements are kept at a 'safe distance', such as the bench to the Queen's Golden Jubilee which was placed outside of the boundary wall rather than inside, despite plenty of
available space.

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

Photograph shows a small stone cross on a rectangular stone plinth.

Ordnance Survey, 2014, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV355681.

Imperial War Museum, 2014, War Memorials Archive, 10198 (Website). SDV356253.

Large base surmounted by plinth and small cross. Inscription in raised lettering on the front face of the base of the cross: 1939 - 1945/ followed by names; and the front side of the plinth: IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN, 1914 - 1919./ followed by names.

Historic England, 2017, Blackawton War Memorial, Main Street, Blackawton, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360235.

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.
One such memorial was raised at Blackawton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice
made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. In
the Spring of 1919, the Parish Council invited suggestions for the form the memorial should
take. The memorial was unveiled later that year in commemoration of 10 local servicemen
who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War, a further four names of
men who died in that conflict were added.
Details
The memorial stands in a paved area to the south side of Main Street, to the east of
Churchgate House (Grade II) and the Church of St Michael (Grade I) and numerous listed
churchyard monuments. It takes the form of a small Latin cross in granite, raised on a small
pedestal. The pedestal stands on a broad granite plinth. The plinth stands on a large block of
coursed rubble walling with a chamfered top.
The Second World War dedication to the front face of the pedestal reads 1939 – 1934/ (4
NAMES), whilst the First World War dedication on the plinth below reads IN MEMORY OF
THE FALLEN, 1914 - 1919/ (10 NAMES). All the texts are in applied metal letters.
The paved area is enclosed by a low stone wall, with an opening flanked by low piers to the front, facing onto the street.

Historic England, 2017, Blackawton War Memorial, Main Street, Blackawton, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360328.

Notification that the memorial has been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Historic England, 2017, National Heritage List for England, 1448224 (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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