Summary

First World War memorial, circa 1920, with later additions for the Second World War, enclosed by low kerb and railings.

Description

MATERIALS: rough-hewn grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Bedingham War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Andrew, Church Road, Bedingham, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the churchyard. It comprises a granite wheel-head cross on a four-stepped base, the lowest step of another material. The upper three granite steps bear the incised, blacked inscriptions on polished surfaces. The small enclosure of the plot consists of a low kerb, with eight small, decorative metal posts linked by chains.

The inscription reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THOSE FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES)/ THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAME).

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 6 March 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.

Bedingham War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected circa 1920. The memorial commemorates 13 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and one man who fell in the Second World War.

In 2014, the memorial was conserved including re-enamelling of the inscriptions, and repairs to the surrounding chains.

Reasons for Listing

Bedingham War Memorial, which is situated in St Andrew’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 conflicts of the C20;
* Design: as a simple but well-executed granite cross;
* Group value: with the Church of St Andrew (Grade I) and Priory Farmhouse (Grade II).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478414

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.

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