Whetstone (St Peter's Churchyard) War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1921.

MATERIALS: wood cross and sculpture; Portland stone plinth; Forest of Dean stone base.

DESCRIPTION: Whetstone (St Peter’s Churchyard) War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Grade I-listed Church of St Peter, situated to the north of the church and on the approach to the church entrance.

It takes the form of a wooden Calvary cross surmounted by a canopy. To the south face is a large carved sculpture of Christ on the Cross, above which, on the vertical arm of the cross, is a carved scroll with the monogram INRI in relief letters. The cross rises from a four-sided plinth of Portland stone with cap and moulded cornice. This surmounts a three-stepped, square base of Forest of Dean stone; the lowermost step is chamfered.

The plinth carries the principal inscription and names in incised lettering. The inscription wraps around the upper section of the plinth over three faces and reads TO THE MEMORY OF THE (west face)/ WHETSTONE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES (south face)/ IN THE WAR 1914 – 1918 (east face). The lettering has been significantly weathered. Directly below the inscription is a narrow, moulded band. The names of the 18 men who died are recorded below the inscription to the south face of the plinth. A further inscription is to the south face of the uppermost step of the base and reads THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVER MORE. The stonework has suffered some damage, obscuring some of the words. Directly below, to the middle step are the letters R.I.P.