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Monument details

HER Number:TR 23 NW 709
Type of record:Listed Building
Name:Sandgate War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, designed by Harry Evans of Folkestone, and unveiled on 11 May 1921


Grid Reference:TR 2059 3523
Map Sheet:TR23NW
Parish:SANDGATE, SHEPWAY, KENT

Monument Types

Protected Status:Listed Building (II) 1437902: Sandgate War Memorial

Full description

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From the National Heritage List for England:

"Summary of Building

First World War memorial, designed by Harry Evans of Folkestone, and unveiled on 11 May 1921. .

Reasons for Designation

Sandgate War Memorial, designed by Harry Evans of Folkestone, and unveiled on 11 May 1921, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: an elegant and striking granite memorial cross; * Group value: with the Grade-II listed buildings opposite including the Fleur de Lis Public House opposite and 25, 27 and 29 High Street. .

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 Sandgate 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 location was purchased by the British Red Cross Society from the nearby Enbrook Estate and bequeathed to Sandgate Urban District Council who commissioned the memorial and the concurrent widening of the adjacent road junction.

The war memorial was designed by Harry Evans of Folkestone and built by Messrs Prebble and Spain. It was unveiled on 11 May 1921 by the Countess of Rocksavage and dedicated by the Vicar of Sandgate.

Following the Second World War, a plaque was added to commemorate those who lost their lives in that war. At the base of the memorial a paver was added in 2016, to commemorate the sacrifice made by Crpl William Cotter VC in 1916.

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Details

MATERIALS: Cornish granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a tall floriated cross with carved collar surmounting a square tapering shaft set on an octagonal plinth. This is set upon a four-stepped base.

On the sides of the plinth are decorated oval bronze plaques which carry the inscriptions. On the front face the inscription reads: 'THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN MEMORY OF THOSE INHABITANTS WHO FELL DURING THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-18. IT ALSO MARKS THE SPOT WHERE A BOMB EXPLODED DURING THE GERMAN AIR RAID OF MAY 25TH 1917'.

On the back another bronze plaque carries the names and the regiments of the 46 men commemorated.

A further plaque commemorates those who fell in the Second World War." (1)


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

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
---Index: Historic England. National Heritage List for England.