Summary of Building First World War memorial, 1921. Reasons for Designation The war memorial in the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Dover, 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 First World War; * Architectural interest: a tall and imposing memorial cross; * Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin. History The churchyard cross, commemorating those parishioners and members of the congregation of Dover’s parish church of St Mary the Virgin who died in the First World War, was unveiled on 24 November 1921 by Lt-Col CM Davidson, and dedicated by the Bishop of Dover. Details The memorial is similar in form to the Blomfield Cross of Sacrifice. The differences are subtle. The tall stone cross, with an octagonal shaft and arms, stands to the north-west of the Grade II*-listed parish church of St Mary the Virgin in central Dover. The front face of the cross head is decorated with the letters IHS, intertwined. The moulded foot of the shaft stands on an octagonal plinth. That stands on two low, octagonal, steps. The whole is raised on a low square base. Five faces of the plinth carry bronze plaques. The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face reads TO THE GLORY/ OF/ GOD/ AND IN AFFECTIONATE/ MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF ST MARY’S PARISH AND/ CONGREGATION WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR GOD, KING AND/ COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918. The other four plaques, two either side of the front face and alternating large and small, bear the commemorated names. The 170 names are listed in no particular order.