Spexhall War Memorial

The Portland stone memorial stands in the churchyard, c10m to the north of the Church of St Peter (Grade II*-listed). Approximately 4.3m tall, it comprises a Latin cross-head rising from the simply moulded collar of a slender cross-shaft, octagonal in section. The moulded cross-shaft foot stands on the raked top of an octagonal pedestal. The pedestal’s base, in two stages, stands on a three-stepped base, circular on plan. The inscriptions are arranged around the pedestal.

The principal dedicatory inscription, in applied metal lettering, to the east face of the pedestal, reads THE/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD/ ANNO DOMINI/ 1914–1919. The names of the nine First World War fallen, with their rank and regiment, corps, or Service, are listed in two groups, one on each face to either side of the main inscription. On the west face the dedication continues THIS CROSS/ WAS ERECTED BY THE/ PARISHIONERS OF SPEXHALL/ IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF THOSE WHO DIED TO/ SAVE THEIR COUNTRY.

The dates 1939 – 1945 are incised into the east face of the upper stage of the pedestal’s base. The names and Service of the two Second World War dead are recorded to each face either side.