Barling Magna War Memorial, churchyard of All Saints' Church (EHER 49952)

Barling Magna war memorial commemorates those from the parish who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Barling Magna War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as a memorial commemorating the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: as a dignified and imposing marble war memorial; * Group value: with the adjacent Grade II*-listed All Saints Church and the various Grade II-listed headstones in the courtyard. History The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised in Barling Magna as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community. Further inscriptions were added at some point after the Second World War to honour the Fallen of that conflict. Details Tapering pillar of roughly hewn granite, with an incised cross at the top of the front face. This rests on square granite plinth; the front face reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF THIS PARISH / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918. / (names) / "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS.", the left face: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF THIS PARISH / WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR / 1939 - 1945 / (names) / "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE". The whole rests on a two-step base.