Summary
First World War memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: this stone war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Andrew (Grade I listed). It comprises a wheel-head cross in the Celtic style with decorative interlace relief carving to the cross-head and shaft. The cross stands on a tapering, two-stage plinth, square on plan, with a low base. The plinth bears the inscriptions.
INSCRIPTION: the dedication reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF GREAT DUNHAM/ (NAMES)/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAME) 1944/ GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
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 Great Dunham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 12 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The stone cross was unveiled by Reverend Humphrey Barclay MC. Following the Second World War the name of one local man who died in that conflict was added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Great Dunham 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 conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* A simple yet poignant war memorial cross ornamented with carved interlace patterns, in the Celtic style.
Group value:
* With the Church of St Andrew (Grade I 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
Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey