Summary

First World War memorial.

Description

MATERIALS: limestone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located within the churchyard of St Michael’s Church and it comprises a cross on an octagonal shaft. The shaft rises from an octagonal plinth which has arch-headed niches on each face. The niches have raised carvings of badges and in one is 1914 TO 1918 with carvings underneath. The plinth is set upon a four-stepped octagonal base.

On the top step under the dates is incised THEIR NAME LIVETH this is continued on the second step with FOR EVERMORE. On the other sides of the top steps are the corresponding regiments to the badges in the following order NORFOLK/ REGIMENTS, ROYAL NAVY, ROYAL/ ENGINEERS, ROYAL NAVAL RESERVES, SHERWOOD/ FORESTERS, SUFFOLK REG, ROYAL NAVAL/ AIR SERVICE. The second step is incised with the names of the fallen.

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 Geldeston during the 1920s as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Reasons for Listing

Geldeston 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 cross with carved decorative details including regimental badges;
* Group value: with the Church of St Michael (Grade II*).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478304

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

• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014