Summary
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial with Second World War additions.
DESCRIPTION: Little Ellingham war memorial is located in the churchyard to the north-west of the Grade II*-listed Church of St Peter.
It is of grey granite and takes the form of a rough-hewn wheel-head cross on a three-stepped base. The base carries the inscriptions and names on smooth, inset panels in leaded lettering.
The principal inscription is to the south face of the upper step of the base and reads IN MEMORY OF THOSE/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT/ WAR 1914-1918. Five names are recorded directly below to the middle step. There are a further seven names to the bottom step followed by the words THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
To the east face of the upper step of the base is the Second World War dedication, 1939 - 1945/ (3 NAMES).
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 Ellingham 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, the example at Little Ellingham is situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected not long after the end of the First World War and commemorates 12 local servicemen who died in the conflict.
Following the Second World War, the names of three men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Little Ellingham war memorial, which is situated in St Peter’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 Peter.
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
Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback