Summary

First World War memorial, with Second World War additions. Stone obelisk on a tapering plinth and three-stepped base, within a railed enclosure.

Description

MATERIALS: Portland Stone.

DESCRIPTION: Foxley War Memorial is located on a green area at the junction of the A1067 (Norwich Road) and Old Fakenham Road. It comprises an obelisk, square on plan, standing on a tapering four-sided plinth which stands on a three-stepped, square, base. The whole is enclosed by wrought-iron railings painted black, with gold paint around the top and on the finials.

The inscription to the front face of the plinth is incised and reads SACRED/ TO THE MEMORY OF/ (3 NAMES)/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO DIED SERVING THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918 with below on the top step “LEST WE FORGET”/ R.I.P. The later Second World War inscription to a side face of the plinth reads (NAME)/ RAFVR/ ACCIDENTALLY KILLED IN/ INDIA 11TH JUNE 1943.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Foxley as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by three members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Following the Second World War the name of one airman who was killed accidentally whilst on service in India was added.

Reasons for Listing

Foxley War Memorial, including railings, which is situated at the junction of the A1067 (Norwich Road) and Old Fakenham Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: as a simple yet dignified stone obelisk, with decorative railed enclosure.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478554

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
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  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
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  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)