Summary

A War Memorial unveiled and dedicated in October 1920.

Description

MATERIALS: Constructed of stone and located in a triangular greensward at the junction of two lanes.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a cross set on a tapered, chamfered, smooth shaft set on a roughly dressed, stone plinth. The cross has a moulded base and the arms are encircled with a stone roundel. The memorial is approached by four flights of steps, roughly dressed to match the plinth. Carved on the rise of the uppermost steps on each side are the words: ' SONS OF THIS PLACE/LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID/THAT YOU WHO LIVE/ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD'.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 23 January 2017.

History

A local newspaper reported the unveiling of the War Memorial at Great Melton which took place in October 1920.The first part of the dedication service was held in the nearby Church of All Saints (Grade II*) and was followed by a procession to the Memorial, a simple cross, singing hymns. The cross was unveiled by Major Evans-Lombe and then dedicated by the rector. Major Hadow C.M.G gave the address, drawing attention to the carved words on the risers of the top steps (see below) and the service concluded with a collection, a blessing and the last post played by a bugler of the Norfolk Regiment. The choir returned to the church singing the 'Nunc Dimitis' and several wreaths were laid at the cross.

The names of the 15 fallen men of the parish killed in WWI are not carved on the Memorial. Instead, a decorative plaque in the Church of All Saints bears their names and was dedicated in July 1921.

Reasons for Listing

The War Memorial at Great Melton is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons.
* Architectural Interest: The architectural detailing to the column and cross are well-executed.
* Historic Interest: The memorial has considerable historic interest both to the local community and from a national perspective, commemorating the community’s link with international events and the poignant and tragic cost of such involvement.
* Group Value: The memorial has enhanced group value with the nearby Church of All Saints (Grade II*) where a specially commissioned plaque lists the name of the war dead.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26675885

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

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)