Summary

First World War memorial, 1923, with Second World War additions.

Description

MATERIALS: rough-hewn granite.

DESCRIPTION: Castle Acre and Newton War Memorial is located within the churchyard of St James the Great Church. It consists of a wheel-head cross with a Sword of Sacrifice carved in relief on its front face. The cross is set upon a tapering shaft which rises from a trapezoid-shaped plinth. The whole stands on a two-stepped base.

The plinth of the memorial has had smooth granite plaques attached to it at a later date. The plaques carry the names of the fallen from the First World War. That on the front face reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF CASTLE ACRE/ AND NEWTON/ WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918 1939 – 1945. Underneath is 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.

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 Castle Acre in 1923 as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 43 local servicemen who died during the First World War. A slate memorial inside the church also lists the names of those who died.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the nine fallen of that conflict.

Reasons for Listing

Castle Acre and Newton 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 elegant granite wheel-head cross with carved decorative details;
* Group value: with the Church of St James (Grade I), Willow Cottage (Grade II) and
with Castle Acre Castle, Town defences and Bailey Gate (a scheduled monument).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478247

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

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