Browse crosses

O/S Grid Ref: SX/75479/86058       Longitude/Latitude (Degrees+/-):  -3.76312/50.66084

Map location: Click here to view map.

Purpose: War Memorial Cross

Size: The cross stands approximately 11 feet (3.35 metres) high and 3 feet 2 inches (0.96 metre) across the arms. The shaft measures 15 inches (0.38 metres) wide by 10 inches (0.25 metres) deep at its base.  The tapering socket stone is 39 inches (1.00 Metre) wide, by 33 inches (0.84 metres) deep and 39 inches (1.00 metre) tall.

Information: Moretonhampstead currently has two war memorials, the cross in the grounds of St. Andrews Churchyard and a large stone monument set up in the square beside the Bowring Library.  The churchyard cross was erected in memory of those who lost their lives during World War I and the base of the cross has been engraved with the following words:

A SYMBOL OF VICTORY
AND A MEMORIAL OF THE MEN
OF MORETONHAMPSTEAD
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

Although the cross does not show any names of the fallen, there is a large wooden plaque on a wall inside the church listing the names of the men who lost their lives in both World Wars. This plaque looks to be of fairly recent origin and is ornately bordered in red and gold.  The names of the men who died during World War I are listed under the service in which they served.

The large memorial stone in the square was placed in position in 1921 and was subsequently unveiled by Lord Hambleden.  The stone was erected as a memorial to those who fell in World War I but, at the time, didn't include any names.  After World War II, a second plaque was added as a memorial to that conflict, but again no names of the fallen were shown.  It wasn't until the turn of the millennium, when the area around the stone was refurbished, that it was decided to add the two plaques listing out the names of the men who lost their lives in both wars.