Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The war memorial is located in the south-west corner of the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed). Built against the churchyard wall, it comprises a gabled brick shrine. The plain Gothic arch entrance faces into the churchyard, whilst to the rear the upper part of the back wall forms a blind arched alcove.
Inside the shrine a white marble plaque is set against the rear wall, with a Calvary above. The square headed marble plaque, with a moulded foot, names the dead of both wars. The dedicatory inscription reads IN HONOUR/ AND LOVING MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM/ DEEPDALE & STAITHE,/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR./ (13 NAMES)/ 1939 - 1945/ “REST ETERNAL GRANT TO THEM O LORD”/ (3 NAMES). The names are listed in order of year of death.
Within the alcove to the rear, a bronze plaque is set in a timber frame. The upper member of the frame forms a shelf, on which a small stepped cross stands inscribed IN HOC VINCES. Iron lamp-supports stand on the shelf either side of the cross. The inscription on the bronze plaque reads ROLL OF HONOUR OF THE MEN FROM DEEPDALE AND STAITHE/ WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1918/ (90 NAMES). The names are listed alphabetically first by the Navy, followed by the Army.
The rear of the shrine is protected from the verge and pavement by iron railings.
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 Burnham Deepdale as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 13 local servicemen who died in the First World War. The details of three men who fell in the Second World War have been added.
The rear of the memorial includes a bronze Roll of Honour plaque naming all 90 men who served, indicating those who were wounded and those who died. The memorial was made by F Osborne and Co Ltd, a prolific London-based art metal work company.
Reasons for Listing
Burnham Deepdale and Brancaster Staithe War Memorial Shrine, 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 conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* an unusual war memorial shrine in which the interior space and exterior alcove are used to honour not only the dead but also all those who served.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed).
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
The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
Old House Care and Repair
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)