New Marston War Memorial

The memorial stands in a prominent position on the east side of the Marston Road adjacent to St Michael’s Primary School.

It is made of Portland stone and stands to a height of 2.75 metres (but appears higher because of its raised platform). It comprises a plain short cross mounted on a two-stepped plinth, which stands on a large column. Projecting outwards from the top of the column, on each side, is a stone-sculpted arch. Within the recess created by the arch on the front of the memorial is a stone wreath carved in relief.

The column, which is gently tapered, stands on a chamfered plinth, and this in turn stands on a larger two-stepped base. The whole stands on a raised platform of red tiles, reached from the pavement by two sets of three steps, which are flanked by a wall of rough stone blocks.

The front (west facing) side of the column carries the names, ranks, and regiments of the 26 men of New Marston who died in the First World War inscribed into the stone. On the plinth of this front side are the words: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE / THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED BY THEIR FRIENDS / OF NEW MARSTON.

The left (north-facing) side of the column is inscribed: IN GRATEFUL / REMEMBRANCE / OF THE MEN / FROM THIS VILLAGE / WHO LAID DOWN / THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WARS / 1914–1919.

Following the Second World War, the letter S was added to the word WAR and the following text was added in underneath: AND / 1939–1945 / followed by eleven names. A twelfth name was added onto the chamfered edge of the plinth.

The right (south-facing) side of the column is inscribed: GREATER LOVE / HATH NO / MAN THAN THIS / THAT A MAN / LAY DOWN / HIS LIFE FOR HIS / FRIENDS.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 20 February 2017.