Summary

First World War memorial, circa 1920.

Description

MATERIALS: rough-hewn grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Bramerton War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Peter, The Street, Bramerton, Norfolk. It is prominently situated by the S porch of the church. It comprises a wheel-head cross with a downturned Sword of Sacrifice in carved relief, on a plinth atop a single-stepped square base. It has a smooth, recessed area to the front face of the plinth bearing inscriptions in leaded lettering.

The inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES).

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.

Bramerton War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected circa 1920, and was situated near to the S porch of the church. The memorial commemorates ten local servicemen who fell in the First World War and appears to have remained unaltered since.

Reasons for Listing

Bramerton War Memorial, which is situated in St Peter’s Churchyard, 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 local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Design: as a simple but well-executed granite cross;
* Group value: with the Church of St Peter (Grade II*), The White House (Grade II), and the Farmhouse Immediately South of Church of St Peter (Grade II).