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Description

Summary A First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920. Reasons for Designation North Cotes War Memorial, erected in 1920, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: * as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice of this community during the global conflicts of the C20; Architectural interest: * as a well-executed and striking memorial taking the form of a tall granite obelisk; Group value: * the memorial is situated next to the Grade II*-listed Church of St Nicholas and the scheduled medieval cross within the churchyard. History The concept of commemorating war dead did not develop to any great extent until towards the end of the C19. Previously, memorials were rare and were mainly dedicated to individual officers, or sometimes regiments. The first large-scale erection of war memorials dedicated to the ordinary soldier followed the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, the first major war following reforms to the British Army which led to regiments being recruited from local communities and with volunteer soldiers. However, it was the aftermath of the First World War that 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 memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. North Cotes War Memorial was dedicated to those who fought in the First World War in 1920 and commemorates 25 men who served in the conflict and the three who sacrificed their lives. Details A First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920. North Cotes War Memorial is located on the green opposite the Church of St Nicholas (Grade II* listed) on a triangular patch of grass in the middle of the junction of Fleetway and Sea Lane. The memorial stands on a small square concreted area set within the wider grassed area. It is topped with a 7.5ft (2m)-high polished grey-granite obelisk rising from a collared pedestal on a three-stepped base. On the east face of the pedestal an inscription reads DEDICATED TO THE SACRED/ MEMORY OF THESE FEW MEN/ OF THE MANY THOUSANDS/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FREELY IN A GREAT CAUSE/ (3 NAMES)/ THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD AS/ WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD;/ AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM,/ NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN./ (1 NAME). One further name is recorded on the top step of the base below. On the north and south faces of the pedestal, a total of 22 names of those who fought and returned are recorded under the heading ROLL OF HONOUR. Sources Books and journals Michael, Mr (Credland), The First World War Memorials of Lincolnshire, (2014), 140 Websites North Cotes War Memorial, accessed 14th February 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/54027 Other North Coates War Memorial: Monument Full Report – Lincolnshire County Council Historic Environment Record

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