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Wayfarers Monument

The Shedfield Wayfarers war memorial is located on the A334, the main road, between Botley and Wickham in Hampshire. The memorial was specifically located here so that the Christ figure could ‘bless’ the soldiers marching to Southampton to war. It is an ornate Gothic-revival monument, with Christ holding a staff in one hand and blessing with the other set within a niche. At the pinnacle of the memorial is a cross.

In 2020, a grant of £1,390 was awarded through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme, supported by voluntary contributions. This was designed to help address biological and carbon soiling which had built up over the years and was impacting the legibility of the memorial. Works included hand cleaning the monument but the lantern and sculptural elements were untouched as they were deemed delicate and at risk of damage through over-cleaning. In addition, defective paint and corrosion from the lead lettering was removed and lettering was re-painted where required. As the cost of the works reduced from the original quote the final grant paid was £800.  

The memorial has two dedications but does not record names, the lead lettering reads:

‘Thou art the
King of Glory
O Christ’
and
‘Lord
Remember the men
Who serving God,
their King,
and their Country
passed by this road to the Great Wat
1914 – 1918.

And be gracious
O Lord
to all Wayfarers’

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM11569
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: Not found

War Memorials Online: 204174

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

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