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Pelynt

Pelynt war memorial is situated in St Nun’s churchyard, near the entrance to the Church. It is a granite celtic cross with a rectangular shaft on a rectangular plinth. This sits on a three stepped base. The shaft bears dates and a laurel wreath carved out of the stone. There are also inscriptions on two of its sides in lead lettering. Two sides of the base contain the names of seventeen men who lost their lives in the Great War and subsequent conflicts.

The memorial was designed and built by Soady of Looe for the cost of £100 which was paid for by private subscription. It was dedicated on Tuesday 29th June 1920 by the Vicar Rev Canon G S Grigson who had lost three sons during the Great War.

The memorial is owned by Pelynt Parish Council but Pelynt War Memorial Fund took on the responsibility for arranging the necessary conservation works. The main aim of the recent conservation works was to improve the retaining wall that was surrounding it and to add the names of the WWII casualties. Cleaning and re-pointing were also carried out. A grant of £1,060 was paid under this scheme.

WMT often gets enquiries regarding the addition of names on war memorials. Since the creation of war memorials, as is the case for Pelynt, has traditionally been organised locally, the question of who is or is not commemorated and the form in which their details are recorded is usually a local matter. The War Memorials (Local Authorities’ Powers) Act of 1923 and subsequent amendments allow for the correction of errors in a war memorial’s inscription and for additions to make a war memorial serve for conflicts subsequent to that for which it was erected. There are however several issues to consider, such as whether the memorial is listed, in which case Listed Building Consent will be required. Also, WMT recommends that any additions be carried out in a format similar to the existing replicating the font and layout. And that has been the case with the Pelynt war memorial. The names of three men who lost their lives in the WWII have been added on a bare face of the plinth in a manner similar to the existing inscriptions.

These recent conservation works have not only repaired and conserved the memorial but have also ensured the WWII casualties are honoured and the wishes of their relatives and veterans are fulfilled. 

This article first appeared in War Memorials Trust Bulletin number 37, Spring 2008. The photographs show the memorial before and after work was completed.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM2010
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 9313

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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