Tavistock War Memorial

Heritage listing

Details TAVISTOCK 78/0/10025 ABBEY PLACE 20-FEB-07 War Memorial II War memorial, 1921 by Messrs Rogers, constructed of light grey granite with black lettering. PLAN: It has a square three stepped base with a tapering square plinth, rising to an octagonal shaft, topped by a clover leaf cross. In the southwest a scrolled tablet of additional names leans on the steps. The whole is set within a polygonal stone fenced grass enclosure. ELEVATION: The circular centre of the cross bears the logo IHS in Gothic script on the south western face. The plinth also bears the text; 'I stand/ To bear proud witness to these men of Tavistock/ who died in England in the Great War/1914 -1918.' The names of 119 men are inscribed upon the plinth and top step. The stone tablet, set against the steps at the southwest bears following text; `In memoriam 1939 to 45 / Also to those who made the supreme sacrifice during the Second World War', and the names of a further 40 men. The whole is set within a small grassed polygonal enclosure with a low fence of granite obelisks linked by chamfered kerbstones and a single strand of loose black metal chain. Immediately opposite the entrance to the enclosure, on the southwest, is a plain light grey granite plaque with black lettering, bearing the text; `lest we forget.' HISTORY: The war memorial was erected in 1921, by public subscription at a cost of £450. The list was declared closed in 1923, and the World War II section was added in the late 1940s. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: War memorials are valued because of their continued relevance to society, acting both as a focal point for formal memorial services and providing a poignant finger post to the rich fabric of local history for casual passers-by. This example in Abbey Place, Tavistock is associated with oth

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.