Credenhill War Memorial

A First World War memorial, built 1916.

MATERIALS: stone, concrete, timber.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located at the entrance to the former C19 St Mary’s Primary School; the school was superseded by a school built to its east in the C20. The memorial comprises a wooden triptych consisting of a pediment with two doors below, set on a plain base with a shelf at the bottom. This is set into a concrete-lined niche with canted sides and a pointed head, within a purpose-built freestanding stone structure with pitched concrete slabs to its top.

The pediment of the timber triptych is inscribed with the dedication: FOR / GOD, KING & COUNTRY. The top of the central panel is inscribed GREATER LOVE HATH / NO MAN THAN THIS flanking the top of a Latin cross. Below the arms of the cross are the names of the 15 men who fell, flanking the shaft of the cross. The base of the central panel is inscribed with OUR HEROIC DEAD. The flanking panels are inscribed with the names of the 60 local men who served in the First World War and returned, below the heading ROLL / OF HONOUR. All inscriptions on the triptych are in gold painted lettering. The cill of the niche is carved with 1914 LEST WE FORGET 1919, and on a stone keystone-shaped tablet below is carved ERECTED BY / EME / 1916.