Harting War Memorial

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a tall, tapering, slim-shafted cross on a plinth set upon a single-stepped base. The cross shaft is nearly 6m high, the plinth is 0.6m high and 1.2m square, the base is 0.2m high and 3.7m square. The plinth features low relief arcading.

The upper part of the shaft (including the cross head) is chamfered at the corners. The lower part features low relief elongated cartouches bearing inscriptions. On two opposite sides, these cartouches incorporate smaller circular cartouches at the top.

On all four sides, the elongated cartouches are above smaller arched panels which contain the carvings of the patron saints of England (St George), Ireland (St Patrick), Scotland (St Andrew) and Wales (St David).

St George, on the south-east side, is haloed and helmeted upon a rearing horse. He spears downwards onto the dragon, brandishing talons and a long tongue. St Patrick, on the north-east side, stands haloed in fine vestments with crozier in his left hand and raising a blessing with his right. The sea is depicted behind him, as are coiled snakes and a leaf of clover. St Andrew, on the north-west side, stands in a boat with sail bearing the Scottish flag. He is haloed and raises both arms. Also in the boat is a haloed fisherman, casting a net into the sea of fishes. St David, on the south-west side, like St Patrick holds a crozier in his left hand, but raises a cross in his right. Several worshippers, of all ages, gather with praying hands at his sides.

On the same side as St Patrick is the principal inscription: AND THUS / THEY DIED / LEAVING / THEIR DE- / ATHS FOR / AN EXAMPLE / OF A NOBLE / COURAGE / AND / A MEMORIAL / OF VIRTUE / NOT ONLY / UNTO YOUNG / MEN BUT / UNTO ALL / THEIR / NATION / II MACC.VI.3I.

On another face is inscribed: REMEMB- / ER THESE / MEN WHO / GAVE THEIR / LIVES IN / THE WAR / OF 1914 / TO 1919 / (NAMES). Another faces reads: AND IN / 1939 – 1945 / (NAMES).

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, 10 November 2017.