Horningsham War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: Horningsham War Memorial is located within an enclosed area of hard-standing on a grassed bank near the junction of Water Lane and Church Street. To the north-east of the memorial is the Grade II-listed Spring Head.

It takes the form of a Portland stone wheel-head cross with carved flower and foliate decoration in relief to the three arms and centre of the cross, to both the rear (north-west) and front (south-east) faces. The segments of the wheel contain the following words carved in relief, THE/ GIFT OF GOD/ IS ETERNAL/ LIFE to the front face only. The cross has a tapering shaft terminating in a moulded foot. The shaft rises from a four-sided plinth with moulded cap and a narrow, square foot. This surmounts a two-stepped octagonal base.

The plinth carries the principal inscription and names in incised lettering. The front face reads, IN LASTING AND/ GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF THESE WHO FELL/ IN THE WAR/ 1914–1918. The names of the 24 men who died are recorded on the remaining three faces of the plinth.

An additional rectangular stone tablet is set flat on the upper step of the base beneath the main inscription and carries the following inscription in incised lettering, 1939-1945/ (NAMES).

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: The memorial stands within a small area of paving enclosed by a low wall of coursed stone with rounded, flat stone coping to the east, west and north boundaries. The southern boundary is formed by a continuation of the boundary wall running parallel with the road and includes the entrance gate to the enclosure.