Summary

First World War memorial with further names added after the Second World War.

Description

MATERIALS: Millstone grit memorial and flint base.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial comprises an ornate fleur-de-lis wheel-head cross on a tapering square shaft. The shaft rises from a square plinth on a round two-stepped base. The first step is formed from four splayed stones. The whole stands on a round sloping base of flints.

The original inscription incised into the plinth is not currently legible. However, it is clear that the front face contained the dedication and that the other faces were inscribed with the names. The rear face is slightly more legible and reads 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES).

A bronze dedicatory plaque is attached to the front of the memorial and reads: ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ FROM WEST ACRE, EAST WALTON/ AND GAYTON THORPE WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN/ THE TWO WORLD WARS OF 1914 – 1918/ AND 1939 – 1945. THEIR NAMES ARE/ INSCRIBED ON A MEMORIAL IN THE/ CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, WEST ACRE.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 25 July 2017.

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at West Acre as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Following the Second World War, the names of those who lost their lives in that war were also added.

In 2006 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust. At this time a bronze dedicatory plaque was added to the memorial along with a replacement base.

Reasons for Listing

West Acre and District War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: an ornate and striking fleur-de-lis wheel-head cross;
* Group value: with the Church of All Saints (Grade I), the Wooden House (Grade II) and West Acre Priory (scheduled monument).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478074

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

• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990