East Knoyle War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Knoyle War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| For soldiers from East Knoyle killed in war | |
| Unveiled | 26 September 1920 |
| Location | 51°04′26.9″N 02°10′14.4″W / 51.074139°N 2.170667°W East Knoyle, Wiltshire
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| Designed by | Herbert Maryon |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | East Knoyle War Memorial |
| Designated | 4 October 2016 |
| Reference no. | 1438366 |
The East Knoyle War Memorial is a special monument in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. It remembers the brave soldiers from the village who lost their lives in wars. The memorial was first shown to the public on 26 September 1920.
It was built to honor 20 soldiers from the area who died in the First World War. Later, names of twelve more soldiers who died in the Second World War were added. The name of a soldier who died in the Iraq War was also added. In 2016, the memorial became a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical site.
The memorial was designed by Herbert Maryon, a sculpture teacher from the University of Reading. It has a base with three steps and a square bottom part. A tall stone pillar, about 16 feet high, rises from the bottom part. At the very top is a small wheel cross. Each side of the bottom part has writing on it. The front remembers those who died in the world wars. Their names are listed on the right and back sides. The left side has a Bible verse and the name of the soldier who died in Iraq.
Why Was the Memorial Built?
After the First World War, many soldiers died. It was a very sad time. Because of this, thousands of war memorials were built across Britain. Almost every village, town, or city created a memorial. They wanted to remember their fallen heroes.
In East Knoyle, a village in Wiltshire, at least 20 people died in the war. Before the war, about 853 people lived there. Three of the soldiers who died were brothers. Five others were from the important Wyndham family. This family owned one of the main estates in East Knoyle.
Before she passed away in 1920, Madeline Wyndham had two plaques made for St. Mary's Church. One plaque remembered her five grandsons. The other, designed by Alexander Fisher, honored all the people from East Knoyle who died in the war.
How the Memorial Was Planned
A special committee was set up to collect money for the memorial. They also wanted to raise funds for improvements to the village hall. The hall would become a community center. Colonel Guy Wyndham led this committee. George Sidney Herbert was the secretary, and Mr. F. W. Barnes helped too.
These three people were well-known in the village. Guy Wyndham's oldest son had died in the war in 1915. George Herbert lived near where the memorial is now. He was involved in many groups in East Knoyle and Wiltshire. Mr. Barnes was known for always helping the village.
In the end, the committee raised £1,450. A large part of this money came from the Seymour estate. The rest came from donations by people.
The person chosen to design the memorial was Herbert Maryon. He taught sculpture at the University of Reading. Maryon was part of the Arts and Crafts movement. He designed several memorials after the war. The East Knoyle memorial was one of his first. He later designed similar memorials in other places.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The East Knoyle War Memorial is on a village green in the middle of East Knoyle. It's where three roads meet. Before a new road was built in 1996, it stood next to the A350. The area was once called Knoyle House Corner. The house itself was taken down in 1954.
The memorial is made from Portland stone. It has a square base with three steps. On top of the base is a square block. From this block, a thin, tall pillar rises about 16 feet. At the very top of the pillar is a small wheel cross. There are also stone flower holders on the top step. One of them says "BEST KEPT WAR MEMORIAL 1973".
The four sides of the square block have words carved into them. The side facing the road remembers those who died in the First and Second World Wars. Their names are listed on the right and back sides. On the left side, there is a verse from John 15:13 from the Bible. Below it is the name of a soldier who died in the Iraq War.
| Front | Right | Rear | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| TO·THE·GLORY·OF·GOD AND·IN·MEMORY·OF·THE MEN·OF·THIS·PARISH WHO·MADE·THE·SUPREME SACRIFICE·IN·THE·GREAT WAR·1914·1918·AND·IN THE·WORLD·WAR·1939·1945 |
GERALD·S·FORWARD:JAMES·J·LAMPARD JAMES·F·FLETCHER:REGD·G·LITTLECOTT WILLIAM·T·FRICKER:OLIVER·SNOOKE ROBERT·GRIFFITHS:EDWARD·D·SMALL ALBERT·J·HARRIS:ERNEST·TANSWELL EDWARD·W·JOLLIFFE:ROBERT·S·TANSWELL FRED·JOLLIFFE:EDGAR·WAREHAM VICTOR·H·JOLLIFFE:GEORGE·WYNDHAM SYDNEY·JUKES:PERCY·L·WYNDHAM |
R·ALAN·J·DENNIS : E·GEORGE·FLOWER H·JAMES·FORD : ERNEST·H·FRANCIS VICTOR·J·T·HALLETT · GORDON·HART ALASTAIR·HOUGHTON·BROWN : JOHN·A·M·LAREN JACK·D·PEPPER : GEORGE·E·THOMAS |
GREATER·LOVE·HATH·NO MAN·THAN·THIS·THAT·A MAN·LAY·DOWN·HIS·LIFE FOR·HIS·FRIENDS· IRAQ·2003·MATTHEW HULL |
History of the Memorial
The memorial was officially shown to the public on 26 September 1920. Henry Seymour Rawlinson led the ceremony. This was one of his last public events before he left to lead the army in India. Rawlinson had grown up in East Knoyle. His family had strong ties to the village.
Rawlinson arrived with his wife. A special group of soldiers and Girl Guides welcomed them. The Knoyle Band played music. Many important people from the village were there. This included members of the Wyndham and Herbert families. The memorial's designer, Herbert Maryon, was also present. Many veterans and families of those who died came to the ceremony.
The event started at St Mary's Church. Everyone then walked to the memorial. The local church leaders held a short service. Rawlinson then removed a Union Jack flag from the memorial. He gave a speech, talking about his childhood in East Knoyle. He said the soldiers had done their duty. He added that the cross was built to remember their bravery and great actions. After his speech, the memorial was dedicated. Hymns were sung, and buglers played the Last Post. Rawlinson placed a laurel wreath on the memorial. Relatives of the fallen soldiers left flowers. After this, everyone went to the village hall. Rawlinson officially opened the new parts of the hall.
Second World War Additions
In late 1945, after the Second World War ended, plans were made to welcome veterans home. They also wanted to remember those who had died. The village hall and the War Memorial Garden were given to the village. Money was also donated for improvements. This money was given in memory of Alastair Houghton Brown, a local man who died in the war.
By November 1945, money had been raised for a "Welcome Home Fund" and a "Memorial Fund". It was decided to add a shelter to the memorial garden. They also decided to add the names of those who died in the Second World War to the memorial. Twelve names were added. The village council also took over looking after the memorial.
In December 1946, a celebration was held for the returning soldiers. 65 service members received a thank you cheque and card.
After the Second World War
Another name was added to the memorial after a soldier died in Iraq in 2003.
On 4 October 2016, the memorial became a Grade II listed building. This means it is a building of special historical interest. The listing said the memorial shows "the sad impact of world events on the local community". It also shows the sacrifice the community made in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries.
A ceremony was held at the memorial on 11 November 2018. This marked 100 years since the end of the First World War. The village also researched the local men who died in the war. They placed plaques outside their old homes. This research found that 27 men from East Knoyle had died, not just 20. The extra seven men were born in East Knoyle but grew up elsewhere.
