Listed Building: Great Chart War Memorial (DKE22437)
Grade | II |
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Authority | English Heritage |
Date assigned | 17 April 2014 |
Date last amended |
Description
Summary of Building
War Memorial, c.1921 to a design by Sir Reginald Blomfeld.
Reasons for Designation
The Great Chart War Memorial, of c.1921 to a design by Sir Reginald Blomfield, is listed at Grade II for the
following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: it has strong cultural and historic significance within both a local and national
context;
* Commemorative: it forms a poignant reminder of the tragic impact of world events upon an individual
community, commemorating the men from the parish of Great Chart who lost their lives fighting in the First
and Second World Wars;
* Group value: it has group value with the Grade I listed St Mary's Church to the west and the adjacent
Village School of 1845, listed at Grade II.
History
The Great Chart war memorial was unveiled on 4 August 1921 by Lieutenant-Colonel John Body and
dedicated by the Revd Neville A. Holt. Its designer, Sir Reginald Blomfield, attended the ceremony. The
expense of the memorial was met through subscriptions to the Great Chart Sailors’ and Soldiers’ War Fund,
as commemorated by an inscription on the base. The names of the fallen of the Second World War were
later added, and the memorial was re-dedicated by the Archdeacon of Maidstone on 3 April 1949. The
memorial was restored in 1995.
The Cross of Sacrifice is a standard design by Sir Reginald Blomfield for the Imperial War Graves
Commission (now Commonwealth War Graves Commission). Blomfield wrote, ‘What I wanted to do in
designing this Cross was to make it as abstract and impersonal as I could, to free it from any association with
any particular style and above all to keep clear of any of the sentimentalities of Gothic. This was a man's war
far too terrible for any fripperies, and I hoped to get within range of the infinite in this symbol of the ideals of
those who had gone out to die’.
Details
War memorial of 1921, situated in a raised memorial garden, accessed from The Street via a flight of steps.
Portland Stone cross set on an octagonal pedestal, which is in turn resting on a stepped octagonal base. The
cross tapers gently, and a bronze sword is superimposed over the crosspiece. Carved inscription at the
pedestal, picked out in black paint. Dedication: ‘TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD / THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR
EVERMORE’ and names of the fallen, recorded by date. On the reverse, ‘ERECTED BY THE GREAT
CHART SAILORS’ AND SOLDIERS’ FUND’. A later tablet, affixed to the base, commemorates the fallen of
the Second World War.
External Links (0)
Sources (0)
Location
Grid reference | TQ 9804 4191 (point) |
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Map sheet | TQ94SE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Record last edited
Apr 22 2014 9:54AM