Preston War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: Preston War Memorial is located in the churchyard to the east of the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Grade II*-listed). It stands on a square area of paving.

The memorial is of Clipsham stone and takes the form of a Latin cross on a tall, tapering octagonal shaft with moulded collar and chamfered stops. The shaft rises from a four-sided plinth with moulded upper corners, surmounting a two-stepped, square base. Four square stone flower holders stand on the lower step of the base, one at each corner; a fifth stands adjacent to the memorial on the south side.

Stone panels have been added to the faces of the plinth carrying the First World War dedication and names. The dedication is to the east face of the plinth and reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE/ PRESTON MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919. The 12 names of those who died are recorded to the north and south faces of the plinth. A further inscription to the west face reads THEIR NAME/ LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE.

The east face of the upper step of the base carries the Second World War dedication on a similar stone panel AND THOSE WHO FELL IN THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945. Two casualties are recorded from this conflict, one inscribed on a stone panel to the north face of the base and the other to a similar panel on the south face.

All lettering is incised, painted black.