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Ashley Green
Town or City: Chesham
County: Buckinghamshire
Country: England
WMT Reference Number: WM2132
Value of grant: £1380.00
Type of memorial: Freestanding
Type of work: Restoration
Grant scheme: Small Grants Scheme
Year: 2012
UKNIWM reference number: 8148
This memorial consists of a Portland stone, three stepped octagonal base surmounted by an octagonal plinth with chamfered edges, a tapering shaft which is topped by a floriated collar and Latin cross. The plinth of the memorial is carved with dedicatory inscriptions to the men of the parish who were lost in both World War I and World War II. The memorial is located on Ashley Green on Chesham Road, adjacent to the Church of St John.
In 2012, War Memorials Trust offered a grant of £1380 towards repair works to the war memorial. This included cleaning of the memorial using cellulose sponges, nylon brushes and water then the more heavily ingrained areas were cleaned using the DOFF steam cleaning system. The heat of the steam helps to loosen organic growths from the stonework without the requirement for any abrasive methods thus preserving the surface of the stone. It must be operated by experienced contractors as the pressure and temperature can be varied depending upon the friability of the stone, so a full assessment of the memorial’s condition should be made prior to the commencement of works.
After cleaning, a quaternary ammonium compound was applied to the memorial to remove remaining microbiological growths. This is applied in a spray form, and the application must be undertaken in dry weather conditions and left for a minimum 3 days to work at eliminating the moss and lichen. The compound will remain effective for up to 12 months before re-treatment is recommended. War Memorials Trust only recommend the use of biocides on lichen that is interfering with the stone’s integrity or obscuring inscriptions on the war memorial. See the Advise and FAQ section of our website for helpsheets on lichen and cleaning stonework for further information.
Following the removal of the organic growths, areas of loose or defective pointing was raked out by hand from the joints and replaced with a colour matched lime mortar. Where possible, cementious mortars were removed and also replaced with lime mortars.
The inscriptions were selectively re-carved to increase the depth of the lettering and then picked out with enamel paint in gloss black.
Finally, an indent stone repair was inserted to an area of damaged stone on the steps of the memorial and was then artificially tooled with stone chisels to match the original stone, however this element of the works was not included within the funding costs.
The memorial was originally unveiled in May 1920 with an address by Major Macleod and it was dedicated by the Rural Dean, the Reverend S. C. A. Whittington.
The inscription reads:
To the GLORY of GOD
and in
HONOURED
MEMORY of
the MEN of
THIS PARISH
who fell in the
GREAT WAR
1914 – 1919
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
Further information
War Memorials Trust reference WM2132
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 8148
War Memorials Online: 115171
If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org