East Stoke War Memorial

The East Stoke War Memorial was erected in 1922, and is constructed of red brick with dressings likely of Portland stone. It takes the form of a wayside shrine, comprising a three-bay structure topped with a moulded cornice. The memorial stands on a stone platform. Each bay contains recesses, with the central gabled bay projecting forward. The central recess displays a late 20th-century cross, and the upper left and right stone panels commemorate those who died during the First World War. The inscription on the upper left panel reads: IN GRATEFUL/MEMORY OF/THE MEN OF EAST STOKE/WHO FELL IN THE/GREAT WAR/1914-1918/I THANK MY GOD UPON/EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU’. The upper right panel reads:REMEMBER BEFORE GOD/OUR BRAVE COMRADES/WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/FOR OUR COUNTRY (NAMES)’. The memorial also commemorates those who lost their lives in the Second World War, with the central lower panel reading: `THIS COMMEMORATES/THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR/LIVES TO SAVE MANKIND/IN THE WORLD WAR/1939-1945’. The flanking left and right lower panels are inscribed with names. The memorial was unveiled on 23rd April 1922 and was constructed by the Purbeck Stone and General Trading Company of Swanage. Three further inscription panels were added after the Second World War. The memorial’s design is considered modest but unusual. It serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of tragic world events on the local community and is designated at Grade II, partly due to its group value with the adjacent former church, which is also listed.