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Men of Crewkerne / Severalls Park

The war memorial at Severalls Park, Crewkerne comprises several elements. The initial plan was envisaged as a 'garden suburb of modern housing' designed by Hubert Worthington. The full scheme was never intiated but an estate was built which includes tennis courts, entrance pillars and a statue, "Tommy" which is Grade II listed. The base of the statue comprises two deep, octagonal steps and its pedestal resembles a megalithic tomb. The capstone carries a carved figure of a standing infantryman.

In 2022, a grant of £920 was awarded through War Memorials Trust Grant Scheme. This assisted a condition survey with recommendations to inform necessary conservation and repair works to the "Tommy" sculpture. The survey was undertaken by a conservation-accredited professional.

In 2023, a grant of £2,320 was awarded through the Grants for War Memorials Scheme supported by Historic England for conservation repairs to the entrance pillars to the estate. The upper sections of each pillar were carefully dismantled and documented. Vegetation was carefully removed and the pillars were rebuilt, capped and re-pointed using lime mortar.

In 2023, a further grant of £1,140 was awarded through the Grants for War Memorials Scheme, supported by Historic England, to implement the recommendations of the professional survey on the sculpture. The report had concluded that the face was slightly weathered and while some detail to the face had been lost it was reasonable given its age. As the face was still legible ad was not at risk of collapse it was recommended that a minimal approach was taken in-line with best conservation practice. The face was therefore cleaned by hand using natural bristle brush and water while the base and steps of the memorial were cleaned using steam. A different approach was taken to the different parts of the memorial due to the stone types and condition. The construction joints of the memorial were re-pointed using an appropriate lime mortar and the inscriptions were painted.

The memorial sculpture was unveiled in June 1922, the figure was carved by F Worth and it commemorates the 127 men who died as a result of World War I.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM3803
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: WMR1327

War Memorials Online: WMO/121192

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

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