Summary
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Hingham War Memorial is located in an enclosed garden next to the roadside and adjacent to the churchyard. It is to the west of the tower of the Church of St Andrew (Grade I-listed) and is in close proximity to the Grade II-listed buildings the Manor House and the garden wall and gates to the former rectory.
It is of grey granite and comprises a Celtic wheel-head cross on a tall shaft with moulded foot. The cross-head is carved in relief and has an interlace Celtic design incised to the west face; a gabled cap surmounts the upward arm of the cross. The words FOR/ GOD/ AND/ KING are carved in relief to the wheel. The shaft rises from a narrow, rectangular plinth with a splayed foot. The whole surmounts a two-stepped, paved base. The inscriptions are to the plinth with the names listed on the cross shaft; all lettering is incised and painted black.
The inscription to the west face of the plinth reads IN MEMORY OF/ THE HINGHAM MEN/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. The names of the 40 men who died in the First World War are listed above on the shaft.
To the east face is the inscription for the Second World War, IN MEMORY OF/ THE HINGHAM MEN/ WHO FELL IN THE WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945. The names of the seven men who died in the Second World War are listed above, within an inset panel to the shaft.
To the north face of the plinth are the words YE THAT LIVE ON/ MID ENGLISH PASTURES GREEN/ REMEMBER US AND THINK/ WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, while to the south face of the plinth are the words THEIR BODIES ARE BURIED/ IN PEACE/ BUT THEIR NAME LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE.
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 Hingham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 40 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was presumably erected not long after the end of the conflict.
Following the Second World War, a dedication and the names of the six men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Hingham war memorial, which is situated in front of St Andrew’s Church, Attleborough 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 conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* An elegant Celtic wheel-head cross memorial with finely carved details.
Group value:
* With the Grade I-listed Church of St Andrew and the Grade II-listed buildings the Manor House and the garden wall and gates to the former rectory.
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
London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House