Memorial Cross, Market Bosworth - Market Bosworth

• Designed by: Cowdell and Bryan, Leicester
• Listing Status: Grade II
• District: Hinckley & Bosworth

• Made by: Wells and Co, Hugglescote
• Parish: Market Bosworth

Portland stone cross on tall shaft surmounting octagonal pedestal bearing inscription plaques in Swithland slate, on five stepped base and circular platform. Unveiled Thursday 8th July 1920 by Sir Thomas Cope. The following is the report from the Coalville Times:- A beautiful war memorial, erected in the centre of the market square of the old Leicestershire town of Market Bosworth, was unveiled on Thursday by Sir Thomas Cope, of Osbaston Hall, in the unavoidable absence, through illness, of the Duke of Rutland, who had been expected to perform the ceremony. The memorial consists of a Portland stone cross rising from a base of octagonal steps. The design is based upon the mediaeval market cross, but shows the influence of modern thought, making the design an adaption of the old form rather than a direct copy of the ancient type of cross. The total height of the monument from the ground is 17ft 6in, the height of the cross proper being 11ft 6in. The octagonal base on which the cross stands has panels of local slate obtained from the Swithland district, let into it. Incised in these are dedicatory inscriptions, giving the names of all the Market Bosworth men who fell in the great war. the Memorial Committee has aimed at obtaining a simple and monumental design constructed of lasting materials, and with this object all ironwork has been eliminated, copper being the only metal used, while a solid base of concrete over 18ft in diameter has been provided. On the front panel appears the inscription, “1914-1918. In memory of the men of Market Bosworth, who gave their lives in the great war.” Another panel is inscribed, “Erected in honour of the men who served their King and country in the great war, 1914-1918.” The other two panels contain the names of 18 men who fell, as follows: J. H. Alcott, F. Bartlam, W. W. Bradbury, C. H. Clarke, F. Clarke, R. P. Davy, F. W. Goddard, B. G. L. Goode, T. Hickling, A. Miller, H. Moorhen, R. J. Osborne, E. W. Parry, R. Pegg, J. S. Quincey, G. Shave, A. T. Stevens and W. T. Trivett. The work was carried out by Messrs. Wells and Co., of Hugglescote, under the direction of the architects, Messrs. Cowdell and Bryan, of Leicester. There was a large company at the dedication and unveiling ceremony, including ex-servicemen and cadets of the Bosworth School, who formed a circle round the memorial. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, “O God, our help in ages past,” and portions of the sentence were taken by the Rev. F. C. Darvell, Baptist Minister, Barton Fabis, and the Rev. P. Bower, Rector at Market Bosworth. Sir Thomas Cope, in his uniform of Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the county, read a letter from the Duke of Rutland, who was ill in bed, expressing his great disappointment at being unable to be present. Sir Thomas spoke of the great interest which the Duke took in the Leicestershire Territorials, who took such an active part in the war. Proceeding, he said history would relate the great crisis in which England stood, and how nobly her sons responded. When the great Lord Kitchener, so to speak, stamped his foot, the men of England rose in millions and set to work. Men who had never fought before and who never dreamed of fighting, showed what excellent stuff England was made of, and England had won unconquerable glory for the manner in which her sons came forward on this occasion. Bosworth contributed its share to the heroic body of men who went willingly and gave their lives for their country, and so the people of Bosworth that day, with all their hearts, gave honour to these noble men, who did honour to themselves, honour to England and honour to the ancient town of Market Bosworth. They could not think too highly of those who stepped in for the country’s aid at the hour of peril, and kept the Germans back. And so that day they unveiled this memorial to the men of Bosworth who took an active part, and those who gave their lives for their country. Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar,” was afterwards sung, also the hymn, “O valiant hearts,” and at the close of the service, the “Last Post” was sounded by buglers, followed by the National Anthem. Many beautiful floral tributes were placed on the steps of the memorial, and there was a good display of flags and other decorations at various buildings in the town.