Offham War Memorial in St Michaels Churchyard

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OFFHAM CHURCH ROAD Offham War Memorial in St Michaels Churchyard

17-MAR-08

II War memorial. World War I with additional dedications to the fallen of World War II.

DESCRIPTION: located in St Michael's churchyard, approximately 7m to the south of the church, looking out to the east across a road to open farmland. It comprises a simple square stone obelisk atop a plinth, with a prominently moulded top, on a two step base. The main inscription is on the lower east face of the obelisk: ALL HONOUR / GIVE / TO THOSE / WHO NOBLY / STRIVING / NOBLY FELL / THAT WE / MIGHT LIVE / 1914-1918. The names of the 15 fallen (forename and surname only) are inscribed on the plinth below. The south face of the plinth has the inscription: 1939-1945 followed by the 4 names of the fallen of World War II (initials and surname).

HISTORY: the date of unveiling is not known. The obelisk is a common type of World War I memorial, continuing its popularity from Boer War examples influenced in large part by the erection of Cleopatra's Needle in 1878.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: * As an eloquent witness to the impact of tragic world events on this community; * Although of a common type, the obelisk is well proportioned and sympathetic to its location in the churchyard; * Group value with the Grade I St Michael's Church.

TQ6603758053

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 1 December 2016.