Summary

First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1919.

Description

The grey granite memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Andrew (Grade I), about 20m to the south of the church tower. It is opposite Whitehouse Farmhouse and Anchor House (both Grade II-listed). It comprises a plain Latin cross standing on a rough-hewn, tapering, base..

The inscription, in raised leaded lettering on the south face of the plinth, reads THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY/ THE PARISH TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ (4 NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914–1918.

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 Covehithe as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by four members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled in December 1919.

Reasons for Listing

Covehithe 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 Andrew (Grade I), and Whitehouse Farmhouse and Anchor House (both Grade II-listed).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479240

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.

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