Althorne War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial with names added after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Althorne War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* unusually, it is a public shelter in the form of a lychgate, a fitting and poignant choice to commemorate those with no known resting place;
* it demonstrates architectural quality in both its picturesque design and its craftsmanship, being constructed by local men using traditional techniques;
* its architectural significance is enhanced by the bronze tablet made by the Crittall firm, which pioneered the manufacture of steel-framed windows, as it was not only based in Essex but played a pivotal role throughout the war years.

Historic interest:

* it is 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.

History

The aftermath of the First World War that was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Althorne in 1926 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was designed by W Savage Cooper and constructed by voluntary local labour, largely the fathers and brothers of those commemorated; and was erected on land gifted to the parish by the London and North Eastern Railway Company. The bronze tablet was made by Messrs Crittall, the pioneering manufacturer of steel-framed windows which was established in Essex. At a very well attended ceremony, the memorial was unveiled by Sir Arnold Wilson and dedicated by the Bishop of Barking. The names of the two soldiers who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Details

First World War memorial with names added after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: oak structure with a roof covering of plain red clay tiles.

PLAN: the memorial is in a prominent location on a triangular green at the junction of Main Road and Station Road.

EXTERIOR: the memorial is a public shelter in the form of a lychgate, standing on a rectangular paved area and enclosed by a low chain fence. The oak structure is pegged and consists of two principal posts with diagonal braces at the lower and upper ends. It supports a steeply sloping roof which has a subtle double pitch and pierced trefoils in the gable heads. Above the seat backs is a large bronze plaque with wreath and laurel branches in relief, flanked by the outline of a battlemented wall.

Below this is a carved banner with the following inscription in raised lettering: THEY WERE A WALL UNTO US/ BOTH BY DAY AND NIGHT. Around the four sides of the plaque is the following inscription, also in raised lettering: ALTHORNE ALSO SENT FORTH MEN TO FIGHT THAT YE MIGHT INHERIT FREEDOM AND PEACE WITH VICTORY HONOUR THEREFORE THOSE WHO DIED UNTO THIS END 1914 - 1919. The names of the eighteen men who fell are listed below. Under the main plaque, a small separate plaque, also in bronze, bears the date 1939 - 1945 and the names of the two men who fell in the Second World War.

Sources

Websites
IWM War Memorials Register, accessed 1 June 2023 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/22474
War Memorials Online, accessed 1 June 2023 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/204350

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