Matson War Memorial

The Matson War Memorial is a First World War memorial dedicated in 1920, designed by architect F S Waller, with carvings in the cross head by A Maud Parsons and executed by sculptor W H Fry.

Constructed from Portland stone, the memorial features a Pea Grit stone base and is square in plan. Facing south-east, it takes the form of a medieval lantern cross set upon a two-step base made of Pea Grit stone blocks. The base supports a square plinth that holds an octagonal socket stone, which has a deep drip moulding at its upper section. A bronze plaque on the south-east side of the socket stone is inscribed: 'IN MEMORY OF / THOSE WHO DIED / FOR THE RIGHT IN / THE WAR 1914-1918 / THANKS BE TO / GOD WHICH GIVETH / US THE VICTORY'. Additional plaques on the north-west and south-west sides list the names of the fallen.

The shaft of the memorial is square at the base and features carved leaf decoration, tapering to an octagonal section that culminates in a lantern-head set above an octagonal annulet. Each face of the cross head is divided into four traceried niches containing sculptured figures in relief: the south-east side depicts the Crucified Christ with St John and the Virgin Mary, the north-east face shows the Madonna and Child, while both the north-west and south-west faces feature figures of soldiers.