Summary

First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War. Erected in the 1920s. Architect unknown.

Description

First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War. Erected in the 1920s. Architect unknown.

MATERIALS: Carved from grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Marshland Smeeth and Fen War Memorial is prominently situated at the entrance to the cemetery in Marshland St James and facing the road. It comprises a polished grey granite Latin cross on a tapering four-sided plinth with granite foot, and four-stepped concrete base below. This is bounded by concrete posts connected by chains. The plinth bears the inscriptions in incised and painted lettering.

The inscription on the western face reads ERECTED BY THE / INHABITANTS OF / MARSHLAND SMEETH & FEN / IN GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF THEIR FRIENDS WHO LAID DOWN / THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / (NAMES) // ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD / AND MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM / LEST WE FORGET. The northern face is inscribed ALSO / IN MEMORY OF THE / MEN OF / MARSHLAND ST JAMES / (NAMES) / WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES / IN THE WORLD WAR / 1939 – 1945

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Marshland St James in the 1920s as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the Marshland Smeeth and Fen area who lost their lives in the First World War.

Reasons for Listing

Marshland Smeeth and Fen War Memorial, which stands at the entrance to Marshland St James cemetery, 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: a simple Latin cross on a tapering four-sided plinth.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478657

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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