Summary

First World War memorial, c.1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

MATERIALS: rough-hewn grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Docking War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Chequers Street, Docking. It is prominently situated alongside the churchyard path leading from the lychgate to the south porch of the church. The memorial comprises a wheel-head cross with a Sword of Sacrifice carved in relief, atop a tapering plinth with a two-stepped base below.

The inscription is in leaded lettering and reads: TO THE MEMORY OF THE DOCKING MEN/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE// TO THE MEMORY OF THE/ DOCKING MEN WHO FELL IN/ THE WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”.

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 war memorial was raised at Docking as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Docking memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected c.1920. The memorial commemorates 30 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 14 men who fell in the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Docking War Memorial, which is situated in St Mary’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 the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple but well-executed granite cross;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Mary the Virgin, its Grade II-listed lychgate and the Grade II-listed Former Gateway to Docking Hall.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478441

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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