Building record 3523/1/3 - Grendon War Memorial

First World War memorial, c. 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.The memorial is situated in the south-east corner of the churchyard of the Grade II*-listed church of St Mary, and is within Grendon Conservation Area.

{1} LIST ENTRY DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY OF BUILDING
First World War memorial, c. 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION
Grendon War Memorial, in the churchyard of St Mary’s church, is listed at Grade II for the following reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: a well-executed, elaborate, stone cross;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed church of St Mary.

HISTORY
The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. One such memorial was raised at Grendon, c 1920, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial stands in the south-east corner of the churchyard of the church of St Mary (Grade II*), overlooking Main Road.

DETAILS
First World War memorial, c. 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is a c.4.5 m high cross with a floriated wheel head and square-sectioned shaft – both elaborately carved - of sandstone, set on a two-stage square limestone plinth, itself on a shallow square base. A low, square, vase stands on each corner of the plinth. The plinth carries the inscription IN MEMORY OF (names) MEN OF GRENDON, OUR GALLANT DEAD/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/1914-1919/ with on the lower stage of the plinth ‘JESUS SAID, I AM THE/ RESURECTION AND THE LIFE.’/ST JOHN XI.25
On one side of the plinth is the additional inscription ALSO/ IN MEMORY OF/ (names) WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1939-1945/ THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD

SELECTED SOURCES
Websites
War Memorials Online: Grendon entry, accessed 29 January 2016 from
https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/195460?search=search_map%3Fsearch_value%3Dgrendon

<1> Historic England, 2016, Grendon War Memorial, checked (Designation Advice Report). SNN110223.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:57PM