Listed Building: Finedon War Memorial (1429162)

List Entry Description Summary of Building First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. Reasons for Designation Finedon War Memorial, on Wellingborough Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Design: an unusual square monolith in the Classical style; * Architect: by the leading Northamptonshire architect JA Gotch. History Finedon War Memorial, designed by the Northamptonshire architect JA Gotch (1852-1942) for the Finedon War Memorial Committee, was dedicated at an ecumenical service on 7 November 1920 with Brigadier General AFH Ferguson in attendance. It replaced a temporary memorial, in the form of an obelisk on a square base. The memorial was funded by public subscription and cost c£400. Gotch was responsible for a number of war memorials in the region, such as those at Kettering, Burton Latimer and Titchmarsh (all Grade II-listed). Details The war memorial stands on Wellingborough Road, a main road through Finedon. Overall c5m tall and made of Weldon stone, it is a square monolith with an out-sailing cornice and ogee capstone. The capstone is surmounted by a small equal armed cross that is decorated with roses carved in low relief at the centre and on the arm terminals. Small pinnacles stand on each corner of the cornice. At the top of the memorial each face carries a single word: COURAGE; ENDURANCE; PROWESS; CHEERFULNESS. Below each word is carved two square blind panels, and below these a large slate plaque recording the commemorated names is let into each face. Below the plaque on the front face, an inscription on a slate tablet carries the words TO KEEP IN MIND THE/ GREAT WAR & THOSE/ FROM THIS PLACE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES/ 1914 - 1919/ AND/ 1939 – 1945. The slate plaques were added c1990, replacing the original, weathered, rolls of honour. Supporting scroll buttresses are angled at each corner of the monolith’s base. It is raised on two square steps and surrounded by a small paved area. The memorial stands in a long, thin, memorial garden alongside the road, surrounded by iron railings.

Record last edited

Oct 5 2015 11:30AM