Summary

First World War memorial, with Second World War additions. Marble obelisk on a tapering plinth, with three-stepped base.

Description

MATERIALS: Marble.

DESCRIPTION: Harpley war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Lawrence (Grade I). It is prominently situated to the left of the churchyard path leading to the south church porch. It comprises a simple marble obelisk, square on plan, standing on a tapering plinth with three-stepped base below. The memorial stands within a square kerbed and gravelled area. The plinth bears the inscriptions in applied metal lettering.

The principal dedicatory inscription reads: THIS MEMORIAL/ WAS ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS OF HARPLEY/ IN MEMORY OF/ THE GALLANT MEN WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. The commemorated names, with unit or regiment, are recorded on the sides of the plinth. The later dedication reads: THESE MEN ALSO SERVED/ WITH OTHERS FROM THIS PARISH/ IN THE 1939 - 1945 WAR.

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 Harpley 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 commemorates 10 local servicemen who died in the First World War, and six men who fell in the Second World War. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Thetford.

Reasons for Listing

Harpley War Memorial, which is situated in St Lawrence’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 sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: as a simple but well-executed marble obelisk;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Lawrence.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478761

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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