South Cove War Memorial

First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent location in the churchyard of the church of St Lawrence (Grade I), immediately beside the path between the entrance gate and the door of the church.

The memorial comprises a 2m high stone Celtic wheel-head cross, decorated with elaborate relief-carved interlace decoration. The main inscription in leaded lettering on the front of the cross shaft reads: IN/ GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE/ FIVE/ SOUTH COVE MEN/ WHO MADE THE/ SUPREME SACRIFICE/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918.

On the front of the plinth is the inscription: (5 NAMES)/ THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES TO SERVE THEIR GOD/ THEIR KING AND THEIR COUNTRY IN DEFENCE/ OF TRUTH, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

On the western side of the plinth an additional inscription added in 1949 reads: AND THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES FOR US IN THE/ SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES)/ ALSO IN MEMORY OF/ THE AMERICAN AIRMEN WHO/ LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS PARISH/ MARCH 1945.