Summary
First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1921.
Description
The war memorial is located in a small area enclosed by posts carrying a spiked chain, with a small gate to the front, in a graveled garden to the south of St Jude’s Mission Church (not listed). It is a rough-hewn Latin cross of granite with an incised cross decorating the front face. The cross stands on a two-stage square plinth, standing on a two-stepped square base.
The inscription is in black incised lettering on the front face on the upper stage of the base, reading THIS CROSS WAS DEDICATED BY THE/ PARISHIONERS OF NEW LEAKE & EASTVILLE/ IN MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918 with the commemorated names below on the lower stage. The 12 names, in three columns, are followed by GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A/ MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
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 outside St Jude’s Mission Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local communities who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial for the communities of New Leake, Eastville and Midville was unveiled on 30 October 1921. It was built for a cost of £250. A special service was held, after which the memorial was unveiled by two local ex-servicemen, Mr W Schofield and Mr W Parkinson.
Reasons for Listing
New Leake, Eastville and Midville War Memorial, which stands on the east side of Spilsby Road, 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 First World War.
Architectural interest:
* A simple yet poignant memorial cross in granite which, unusually, has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration and thus retains its original design intent.
External Links
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
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Care and Repair