Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with Second World War additions. Elaborate stone cross on a moulded pedestal with three-stepped base.

Description

Hevingham War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin and St Botolph (Grade I-listed). It is prominently situated near to the entrance to the churchyard. The memorial comprises a small wheel-head cross with trefoil ends and inset tracery, rising from a moulded collar at the top of a tapering cross shaft. The shaft, square in section, is formed of four engaged columns, with small floral motifs at intervals. The shaft surmounts a moulded pedestal with lyre profile, standing on a circular step with two hexagonal steps below.

The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the pedestal is incised and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN PROUD AND/ LOVING MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO/ LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ DURING THE GREAT WAR. The First World War names are listed on faces of the pedestal, with to the last face 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES). Around the circular step an inscription reads GOD IS NOT UNRIGHTEOUS TO FORGET YOUR WORK AND LABOUR OF LOVE HEB. VI. 10. The dates 1914 and 1919 are carved into the front facing sides of the upper hexagonal step.

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, 16 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. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Hevingham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was erected in 1920 in commemoration of eight local servicemen who fell in the First World War. Following the Second World War the details of three men who died in that conflict were added.

Reasons for Listing

Hevingham War Memorial, which stands in the 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;
* Architectural interest: a tall and elegant memorial cross;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin and St Botolph.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478595

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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  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
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