Horley War Memorial

A First World War memorial of 1922, with alterations to accommodate the addition of names from the Second World War.   MATERIALS: polished granite, with stone steps and crazy paving.   DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is formed of a stepped octagonal base, a rectangular plinth and tall shaft surmounted by a Celtic cross. Metal letters attached to the granite surface are used throughout.   The plinth flares gently at the base, and the front face has a wreath carved in relief. It also carries the commemorative text TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN HONOUR / OF THE MEN OF HORLEY / WHO MADE / THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / THEIR NAME LIVETH / FOR EVERMORE. The names of the First World War fallen are recorded on the other faces of the plinth, and the middle step. The top step has the text THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD/ AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM, NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN;/ AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The lowest step is divided by three smaller plinths and carries the names of the local servicemen who died in the Second World War, along with the text AND / TO THE MEMORY OF / THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE WORLD WAR / 1939-1945 FOR THEIR HONOUR / AND / OUR REMEMBRANCE.

The shaft of the monument is formed of two sections, divided by a horizontal moulding. The lower half has four flower blooms carved in relief, and contained within a vertical panel. The upper section has vertical sword, also in relief. The shaft gently tapers towards the top and is surmounted by a stripped-back Celtic cross.   The monument stands on an octagonal area of crazy paving, which is slightly higher to the rear. To either side there are two stone steps, terminated by a short granite plinth.   There is a memorial garden* laid out around the monument which includes a set of metal entrance gates, an access path, and a paved seating area. There is also a later area of crazy paving, which is lower than the original, and includes a brick retaining wall to the rear of the monument site. This landscape and its secondary structures are not included in the listing.   * Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’), it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.