Summary
First World War memorial obelisk, unveiled 1920, with later additions.
Description
The memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade I), in a prominent position to the south-west of the church. It comprises an obelisk on a plinth, square on plan, and two-stepped base. It is carved from pale grey granite and stands approximately 2.3m high.
The main inscription in raised leaded lettering on the front face of the plinth reads IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF THIS/ PARISH WHO FOUGHT AND IN EVER/ GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE/ WHO FELL, FOR GOD AND KING, FOR/ RIGHT, FOR FREEDOM AND FOR/ PEACE IN THE GREAT WAR./ 1914-1918./ (9 NAMES). Below, on the front face of the upper step, the inscription continues “SEE YE TO IT,/ THAT THESE SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN.”
A further inscription in raised leaded lettering on the east face of the plinth reads THIS/ MONUMENT WAS ERECTED/ BY/ THE PARISHIONERS/ OF/ BADINGHAM.
A later inscription, also in raised leaded lettering, was added to the south face of the plinth and reads AND OF THOSE WHO FELL/ IN THE WORLD WAR/ 1939–1945/ (3 NAMES)/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
The north face of the plinth records two further names and dates of death in raised leaded lettering, one each from the First and Second World Wars.
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 Badingham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Erected by Mr G Dale of Framlingham, it was unveiled and dedicated on 5 December 1920 by the Venerable JGR Darling, Rector of Eyke and Archdeacon of Suffolk.
The names of those parishioners who died during the Second World War, and one further parishioner who died during the First World War, were subsequently added to the memorial. Now, nine First World War servicemen and one woman, Assistant Matron Bessie Carley RRC (Territorial Force Nursing Service, d1920) are commemorated by the memorial, and four Second World War servicemen.
Reasons for Listing
Badingham War Memorial, which stands the in 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;
* the Roll of Honour is unusual in including the name of a female casualty, Bessie Carley, who served in the Territorial Force Nursing Service.
Architectural interest:
* a simple yet poignant war memorial obelisk in granite.
Group value:
* with the Church of St John the Baptist (Grade I).
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
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)