Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. Designated Grade II on 03/02/2016.

Monument Types

• WAR MEMORIAL (Modern - 1920 AD to 1920 AD)

Full description

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From Historic England's National Heritage List of England (NHLE):

"Summary of Building

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Eythorne War Memorial, which stands at the junction of Chapel Hill and Sandwich Road, 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 has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a simple yet striking memorial cross in Portland stone; * Group value: with the Grade II-listed Langdown House and Clare Cottage, The Nook and The Old Post Office.

History

Eythorne War Memorial was unveiled on 4 July 1920 by Captain FP Barlow MC, at a well-attended ceremony led by Dr Bellamy and the Rector, Reverend Basil Burrows. A sum of £88 10s had been raised by subscription and fundraising events in the village to pay for the memorial, which was made by C Ashdown of Dover. The plot of land on which the memorial stands was given by Mr Hampshire. The cross was originally railed: the site was cleared, and the railings put up, by volunteers. Following the Second World War a further inscription was added, commemorating local men who died during that conflict.

The memorial was cleaned and the lettering re-cut in 2005. In 2015, following a fundraising appeal, the memorial was restored and 12 further names were added. The memorial was re-dedicated on 24 September 2015 by Admiral Lord Boyce, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. A wooden memorial bench was placed alongside the memorial cross at this time. In sight of the memorial cross, a small memorial garden was planted on the roundabout at the road junction in August 2015, to commemorate the First World War Centenary.

Details

The Portland stone memorial stands on the corner in front of Eythorne Village Stores, at the junction of Chapel Hill and Sandwich Road. It comprises a plain wheel-head cross with a moulded foot, rising from a square-sectioned, tapering, shaft. That stands on a chamfered, square, plinth. The plinth rises from a three-stepped base.

The principal dedicatory inscription, carved into the south face of the plinth, reads IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF EYTHORNE/ WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 TO 1918/ (22 NAMES). The Second World War inscription is on the east face of the plinth, reading IN SACRED MEMORY OF THESE MEN OF EYTHORNE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 45/ (13 NAMES). The inscription carved into the west face of the plinth reads IN MEMORY/ 1914 – 1918 1939 – 1945/ (11 NAMES). The lettering is incised and painted black.

The memorial is surrounded by a modern brick pavement* and is enclosed by a chain suspended from wooden posts*. A wooden memorial bench*, placed next to the memorial on the west side, has a dedication carved in its back-rest reading IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN.

* Pursuant to S.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest." (1)

<1> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading