War Memorial

HOLMWOOD

1834/0/10007 HORSHAM ROAD 22-SEP-09 War Memorial

II War memorial, constructed soon after the end of World War I. Portland stone.

This tall elegant octagonal memorial stands on a four-stepped plinth. The sides of the base of the memorial are separated by slim moulded pilasters between which are panels with carved cusped decoration to the tops. The panels are inscribed with the dedications and names: to the front is written 'FOR GOD, / FOR KING, / FOR COUNTRY / IN SUPREME / SACRIFICE / 1914 - 1918 / 1939 - 1945'. A circular cap completes the base from which extends a slender shaft that tapers very slightly at its summit to meet with the scalloped frieze that decorates the base of a simple capped cross.

There is a stone in front of the memorial which was presented by the Women's Section of the Holmwood Branch of the British Legion dated 11 November (year unknown). The entire memorial is surrounded by railings and steps lead up from the road.

HISTORY: This World War I memorial was financed by voluntary subscription and erected soon after the end of the war at a cost of £336 4s 6d; the designer/sculptor is unknown. The memorial was consecrated on 9th October 1921 by the Bishop of Winchester. It was placed in the care of a Board of Trustees who was responsible for maintenance until the 1970s until the Parish Council took over. After World War II, names of the men that fell in that conflict were added.

SOURCES: http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.23452/fromUkniwmSearch/1 United Kingdom National Inventory of War Memorials, accessed 20 March 2009.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The Holmwood war memorial is listed for the following principal reasons: * Its elegance, accomplished decoration and prominence bear testament to the parish that constructed it; * It has special historic interest as a memorial which honours the war dead of the parish from both World Wars.

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, 5 December 2016.