Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 7 April 1920, with a further inscription added after the Second World War.

Description

MATERIALS: Clipsham stone.

DESCRIPTION: Stibbard War Memorial is located at The Pound, Stibbard, Norfolk. It comprises a Latin cross on a tapering octagonal shaft with an engraved shield half way up the front face. The shaft rises on a square plinth with decorative shoulders which stands on a two-stepped base.

The front face of the plinth is inscribed with: IN/ PROUD AND GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN/ THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919. The other three faces of the plinth are inscribed with the names of the fallen.

The top step of the base carries the later inscription which reads: THE WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1946/ (NAME).

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.

The plans to build a memorial at Stibbard had begun in January 1919 when a committee was formed by local people. In April 1920, the design for a cross was chosen from a ‘catalogue’ produced by the Wayside Cross Association. The builders were F Harrison and I W Fisher, both of Fakenham. The memorial was unveiled on 7 April 1920 and the dedication service was held by Rev A R Hoare.

Following the Second World War, the name of one who fell in that war was added.

Reasons for Listing

Stibbard 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: a simple yet dignified Latin cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478123

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

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
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  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
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  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)