Summary
First World War memorial, erected around 1920.
Description
War memorial, erected around 1920, dedicated to the fallen of the First World War.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is square in plan, constructed of stone, and takes the form of a Latin cross on a tall tapered shaft, square plinth and three-stepped base. The inscription was originally incised directly into the stone of the plinth, however polished stone plaques were added to the plinth around 2011, with inscribed and painted lettering. The plaque on the north elevation of the plinth is inscribed: ‘IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF / OUR FALLEN HEROES / OF SOUTH WOOTTON / 1914 – 1918’. The nine names of the fallen are inscribed on the west elevation of the plinth. The memorial stands in a prominent location in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (listed at Grade II*), adjacent the path from Church Lane.
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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at South Wootton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
The war memorial at South Wootton was erected in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin around 1920, and is shown on the 1928 Ordnance Survey map. The memorial was restored around 2011, when inscribed plaques were added to the plinth.
Reasons for Listing
South Wootton War Memorial, erected around 1920, 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:
* as a modest but well-executed memorial.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (listed at 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
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
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Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
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