Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation
The Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation is a Grade I Listed Building.
It was formerly a Dominican Priory, restored by Charles HANSOM for William LEIGH in 1846-9. It was built for the Passionist Fathers, taken over by the Dominicans in 1850, and continued as a parish church after the Priory buildings were demolished in 1971.
Charles HANSOM also designed the Poor Clare Convent in Convent Lane, Woodchester.
Near to the cache is the Weyside Cross which is reputedly Britain’s oldest First World War memorial
The wooden wayside cross and memorial situated in the field below the Church was dedicated in 1917 on land given by the Dominican monks of the former friary.
When it was dedicated, large gates were installed but they were removed when the A46 was widened.
Playwright Terrence Rattigan took inspiration from the case of George Archer-Shee, one of the names inscribed in the memorial, for his play ‘The Winslow Boy’. It is the story of a boy who was expelled from Naval College for stealing a five shilling postal order. His father fought to clear his son’s name, and a legal precedent was set when Archer-Shee was found innocent and paid compensation. He re-joined the forces as a second lieutenant and was killed at Ypres in October 1914 at the age of 19.
The first posthumously awarded Victoria Cross recipient, Maurice Dease is also remembered at the cross.
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