War Memorial

The war memorial was constructed in 1919, and its architect is unknown. It is built from local Hornton limestone. The memorial stands approximately 2.8 metres high and comprises a small, plain cross with chamfered edges to both the arms and shaft, set atop a tapering octagonal column with a decorative capital. The column sits on a square base with deep chamfers, which in turn rests on a square plinth that narrows towards the top. The plinth is inscribed with the words: "IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO / FOUGHT FOR KING & COUNTRY / THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVETH US THE / VICTORY THROUGH / OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST / IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LAID / DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING / AND COUNTRY / 1914 - 1918," followed by the names of the five men from the villages who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial stands on a platform of two steps. The memorial was erected in 1919 through subscriptions from the villagers of Pillerton Hersey and nearby Pillerton Priors, commemorating the fallen from both villages. It was dedicated on 30 January 1920 in a ceremony attended by the villagers, led by the Rev. E Pitter, and unveiled by Miss Esther Mills, sister of Henry Valentine Mills, who was killed in action and is commemorated on the memorial, along with the four other men from the villages who died in the Great War. As a highly significant commemorative structure of historic and cultural importance to the community, this arresting limestone cross and column stands prominently on the village green at Pillerton Hersey.