War Memorial

BIDDESTONE

1099/0/10013 THE GREEN 05-FEB-07 War memorial

GV II

War memorial, 1920. Architect unknown. Granite base topped by a cross of local limestone. Shaft and cross are of octagonal section, c.3.2m high, raised on a chamfered plinth with pyramidal stops and a three-stepped platform of rubble stone. The three arms forming the cross are embellished with cusping, as is the shaft. The plinth is inscribed on four sides. The south side reads : "IN MEMORY OF / BIDDESTONE MEN / WHO DIED IN THE / GREAT WAR 1914-19". The other three sides of the plinth carry the names of those who fell in both World Wars.

HISTORY: The memorial was dedicated in 1920 in a ceremony involving local clergy and dignitaries. It commemorates the eleven men of the village who died in the First World War, and three more who lost their lives in World War II.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE : War memorials are highly significant commemorative structures with a strong historical and cultural connection to many small communities across the country. This simple limestone cross, standing over 3m high, stands as an arresting monument in a prominent position on the village green, and commemorates the men of Biddestone lost in 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, 16 December 2016.