- Type of Memorial
- Cross
- WMR Reference Number
- 25276
- Description
- Large stone cross surmounting a square stone plinth, set on a four-stepped octagonal stone base. When erected no names were present on the memorial, but a cast bronze plaque announced that the names associated with the memorial were to be found in two local Parish Churches. There are now four sets of large granite tablets arranged around the bottom steps of the memorial bearing the incised and blacked names of those lost in WW1 and WW2, and in subsequent conflicts. In the bottom corners of three of the sets the crest of HM Armed Forces have been incised. Also commemorated are two VCs, who are also commemorated by separate VC tablets (WMR 97667 and 97668) between the above sets. The WW1 dedication is carved in relief on the East face of the plinth, the WW2 dedication is on the West face, and a post-1945 dedication has been added on the South face. The memorial used to sit among flower beds in a lawned park surrounded by trees but the area has been comprehensively landscaped in more recent years, and the memorial presently sits at the centre of radiating rings of stone paving slabs, with most of the trees having been removed to give a clearer view of the memorial.
- Inscription
- East face of the plinth: 1914-1919/ In Memory/ of our brave men who/ gave their lives for us/ "Is it nothing to you/ all ye who pass by?"
West face of the plinth: 1939-1945/ "We will remember them."
South face of the plinth: In Memory/ of those/ who have given their/ lives in the service of/ the country since 1945
On the top step, East face: The names of the fallen are inscribed in/ the Parish Church of Withycombe Raleigh/ & in Holy Trinity Church Exmouth
On the new tablets: (Names)/ World War I (x2); (Names)/ World War II; World War II/ (Names)/ Civilian Deaths 1939-1945/ (Names)/ Brunei/ 1963/ (Name)/ Falklands War/ 1982/ (Names)/ Afghanistan/ 2007/ (not killed in action)/ (Names)/ Decades of easy peace may go their way, and time and tide may drift us far apart/ But you who shared our savage yesterday will hold the highest places in our heart
