Summary
First World War memorial cross.
Description
First World War memorial cross.
DESCRIPTION: the tall stone memorial cross is located in the north-east corner of the churchyard of the Church of All Saints and St Peter (Grade I listed). It is prominently situated just inside the churchyard entrance. It comprises an elaborate wheel-head cross rising from the moulded collar of the slender, octagonal shaft. The cross shaft stands on a pedestal, square on plan, with moulded upper corners, that stands on a two-stage base. The base has freestone corners and cornice, with knapped flint panels in the sides of the upper stage. A step is built into the upper stage of the base, on the south side.
INSCRIPTION: the pedestal carries the inscriptions, carved in relief. The principal dedicatory inscription on the south face reads: IN PROUD AND/ GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF/ THE MEN/ OF GREAT WALSINGHAM/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE WAR/ 1914 – 1919. The commemorated names are recorded on the east and west faces, whilst the north face carries the inscription: GREATER LOVE HATH/ NO MAN THAN THIS THAT/ A MAN LAY DOWN HIS/ LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
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 Great Walsingham 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 16 local servicemen who died in that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Great Walsingham 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:
* An elegant war memorial cross with an elaborate wheel-head;
* 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 All Saints and St Peter (Grade I) and the Barn approximately 70m north-east of the Church Of All Saints And St Peter (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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
[(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair