Abinger Common War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abinger Common War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| For men from Abinger Common killed in the First World War | |
| Unveiled | 1920, 1949 |
| Location | 51°12′05″N 0°24′20″W / 51.20146°N 0.40552°W Church green, Abinger Common, Surrey
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| Designed by | Sir Edwin Lutyens |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | Abinger Common War Memorial |
| Designated | 13 March 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1028839 |
The Abinger Common War Memorial is a special monument in the village of Abinger Common in Surrey, England. It remembers the brave people from the village who died in the First World War. This memorial was actually destroyed by a German bomb during the Second World War. But don't worry, it was rebuilt a few years later in the 1940s! A famous architect named Sir Edwin Lutyens designed it. It's considered an important historical building, known as a Grade II listed building.
Contents
Why War Memorials Were Built
After the First World War, many countries faced huge losses. Millions of soldiers died, and communities wanted to remember them. This led to thousands of war memorials being built across Britain. These memorials helped people grieve and honor those who served.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: A Famous Architect
One of the most important designers of these memorials was Sir Edwin Lutyens. He was known as a leading architect of his time in England. Lutyens designed many famous memorials. These include the Cenotaph in London, which is a national place of remembrance. He also designed the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, the largest British war memorial in the world. Many of his memorials also feature a special "Stone of Remembrance."
The Abinger Common memorial is one of fifteen "War Crosses" designed by Lutyens. All of these crosses have a similar look. Lutyens often got commissions from people he knew before the war. The Abinger Common memorial was commissioned by Margaret Lewin. She lived near a country house called Goddards, which Lutyens had also designed.
History and Design of the Memorial
The first memorial was given to the village by Margaret Lewin. Her son, Charles McLean Lewin, died in 1919 after serving in the army. The memorial was built by stonemasons HT Jenkins and Sons. It cost £190 and was officially revealed in 1920.
Destroyed and Rebuilt
Sadly, on August 3, 1944, during the Second World War, the memorial was hit by a German V-1 flying bomb. It was badly damaged, along with the nearby St James's Church. The community decided to rebuild the memorial. It was rebuilt in 1949 to honor Mrs. Lewin and her daughter, as well as all who served.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial stands near St James' Church. It is made of Portland stone, a type of white limestone. It has a cross with short arms on a tall, narrow shaft. This cross sits on three square stone blocks, which are on a round base.
On the west side of the cross, there's a sword carved into the stone. This is special because it's the only one of Lutyens's War Crosses with a sword. It's similar to the sword on the Cross of Sacrifice designed by Reginald Blomfield. We don't know if the sword was part of the original design or added when it was rebuilt.
Inscriptions on the Memorial
The main message is on the east side of the base. It says that the cross was destroyed by enemy action in 1944. It was rebuilt in 1949 to remember Margaret Lewin and her daughter, Mabel Elizabeth Farrer. It also honors "all who like the above brought peace & joy through their own radiant faith courage and forgetfulness of self under all conditions." It includes a Bible verse and remembers Margaret Lewin's son, Charles McLean Lewin.
The south side of the memorial says "THE WORLD WAR / MCMXIV / MCMXIX" (1914-1919). The east side says "IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL 1914 – 1918." Below these words are the names of the villagers who died in the war.
Listed Building Status
The Abinger Common War Memorial was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building on March 13, 1974. This means it's an important historical site that needs to be protected. It's part of a group of important buildings around the church green. In 2015, during the 100th anniversary of the First World War, Lutyens's war memorials were recognized as a "national collection." Their historical status was reviewed and updated.
