Countesthorpe War Memorial

Countesthorpe War Memorial is a First World War memorial, built in 1921, with an addition for the Second World War. It is situated in the churchyard next to the east end of the Church of St Andrew, which is also listed as Grade II. The memorial is placed within a paved area that overlooks the main road.

Constructed from rough-hewn Cornish granite, the memorial features a wheel-head cross with an inverted sword carved in relief on the east face. The sword has a trefoil at the pommel and at each end of the cross guard. The cross shaft rises from a tapering, four-sided plinth, which is set on a single-step base. The entire structure rests on a narrow, square concrete foundation.

On the east side of the cross shaft, a bronze wreath with a scroll is attached, bearing the words "IN MEMORIAM" in raised lettering. The wreath surrounds a small bronze plaque that includes the dedication: "ERECTED BY/ THE EX-SERVICE MEN/ OF COUNTESTHORPE/ UNVEILED BY/ H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK/ 24TH NOVEMBER 1921./ G. MAILE AND SON/ SCULPTORS AND CONTRACTORS/ 365-367 EUSTON ROAD/ LONDON. N. W. 1."

The main dedication and the names of the fallen are inscribed on the plinth in leaded lettering within smooth, inset panels. The dedication on the east face reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF COUNTESTHORPE/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1918./ 'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.'” The names of 48 men who died are recorded on the north and south faces.

Additionally, on the top left corner of the north face of the base, there is a small inset panel with the maker’s name in leaded lettering: "MAILE AND SON/ EUSTON RD LONDON."

A wedge-shaped, rough-hewn granite tablet was added to the east face of the base, which carries the Second World War dedication in leaded lettering: "1939 - 1945/ (17 NAMES)."