Summary
First World War memorial.
Description
First World War memorial.
DESCRIPTION: Little Fransham War Memorial is located in the churchyard to the south-west of the entrance to the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary. It stands within a square paved area adjacent to the main path.
It is of limestone and takes the form of an obelisk with moulded foot, rising from a tapering, four-sided plinth surmounting a three-stepped base. The plinth carries the inscriptions and names in incised lettering.
The principal inscription is to the south face and reads, TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (5 NAMES).
The east face carries the Second World War dedication, 1939 – 1945./ THANKS BE TO GOD/ FOR THE SAFE RETURN/ OF ALL WHO SERVED/ FROM THIS PLACE.
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 Fransham 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 in Little Fransham is situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected not long after the end of the First World War, and was in situ by the Ordnance Survey County Series 25in map published in 1928. It commemorates five local servicemen who fell in the First World War.
Following the Second World War a further dedication was added to the memorial in gratitude for the safe return of all who served from the parish.
Reasons for Listing
Little Fransham War Memorial, which is situated in St Mary’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 First World War;
* it carries a less common dedication expressing gratitude that all who served from the parish in the Second World War returned.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed obelisk memorial.
Group value:
* with the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary.
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
Old House Care and Repair
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]