Summary
First World War memorial cross.
Description
The grey granite memorial stands in the churchyard, close to the Church of St Michael (Grade II*). It comprises a plain Latin cross standing on a rough-hewn, tapered plinth, standing approximately 2.1m high.
The main inscription in raised leaded lettering to the west face of the plinth reads THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED/ BY THE PARISH TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR/ COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914–1918.
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, 27 February 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 Benacre as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the five members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Reasons for Listing
Benacre War Memorial, which stands in the 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.
Architectural interest:
* a simple yet poignant war memorial cross in granite;
* unusually, the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains its original design intent.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Michael (Grade II*).
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
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)