Edwardstone War Memorial

A First World War Memorial unveiled in 1920, with additions made after the Second World War.

MATERIALS AND PLAN: the memorial is octagonal on plan and is constructed from finely carved stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands on a small triangular green to the east of the church of Edwardstone, at the north end of Sherbourne Street. The memorial is approximately 2.5m tall and takes the form of a calvary cross depicting Christ’s crucifiction beneath a stone gable decorated with carved rosettes. The cross has an octagonal footed shaft with a scroll bearing the letters ‘INRI’ set above the figure of Christ. There is a shield containing the Christogram, ‘IHS’ at his feet. The cross stands on a three-stepped octagonal plinth with a paved surround. It is enclosed by a hooped iron fence.

The main inscription is incised at the base of the cross shaft and on the north-west, west and south-west faces of the plinth. Cross shaft: IM/ OF/. Top step: EDWARDSTONE/ MEN WHO DIED/ FOR ENGLAND/ 1914 – 1919/ THEY LOVED/ NOT THEIR LIFE EVEN/ UNTO DEATH/. Middle step: (14 NAMES). Bottom step: ALL THANKS TO HIM/ WHO ON THE CROSS ON HIGH/ DIDST TEACH HIS BRETHREN AND INSPIRE/ TO SUFFER AND TO DIE/.

The additional inscription, 1939 – 1945, is carved on the north face of the upper step, with the two names of those who lost their lives in the Second World War given on the north face of the second step.