Summary
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Little Barningham war memorial is located in the churchyard to the south-west of the Grade II*-listed Church of St Andrew.
It is of limestone and takes the form of a chamfered, wheel-head cross with splayed foot on a narrow, rectangular plinth surmounting a chamfered, block base. The west face of the cross-head has a circular emboss to the centre, while the shaft and plinth carry the inscriptions and names in incised lettering, painted black.
The principal inscription and names are to the cross shaft, which reads: ERECTED/ TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND THE/ SACRED MEMORY/ OF/ EIGHT PARISHIONERS/ WHO LOST THEIR LIVES/ WHILE SERVING THEIR/ KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918./ (11 NAMES). Directly below are the dates 1939 – 45, which are incised into the upper surface of the plinth. A second inscription is to the plinth face, THE GOLDEN EVENING BRIGHTENS IN THE WEST/ SOON SOON TO FAITHFUL WARRIORS COMES THEIR REST/ SWEET IS THE CALM OF PARADISE THE BLEST./ ALLELUIA.
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, 31 January 2018.
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 Little Barningham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Like many Norfolk war memorials, this example at Little Barningham is situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected not long after the end of the First World War and commemorates eight local servicemen who died in the conflict.
Following the Second World War, the names of three servicemen who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Little Barningham War Memorial, which is situated in St Andrew’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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed wheel-head cross memorial.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Andrew.
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
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)