Great Livermere War Memorial, Great Livermere, Suffolk

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 24 April 1920.

Description

First World War memorial, 1920.

MATERIALS: Portland stone, marble cross and plaque.

DESCRIPTION: Great Livermere War Memorial is located on a traffic island at the junction of The Street and Church Road, close to the Grade II-listed buildings, the Post Office and 27 and 28 The Street.

It takes the form of a small, marble Latin cross atop a tall, four-sided plinth of Portland stone surmounting a two-stepped square base. All incised lettering is painted black.

To the centre of the cross on the south face is the monogram IHS, carved in relief with the letters superimposed over each other. To the opposite (north) face of the cross is a crown carved in relief. The cross rises from a narrow, square pedestal which is incised with the phrase THANKS BE TO (west face)/ GOD WHO GIVETH (south face)/ US THE VICTORY (east face). Incised to the north face are the words WAR DECLARED – 1ST AUG. 1914/ ARMISTICE SIGNED 11TH NOV. 1918.

The plinth has a cushion capital with a narrow cornice and terminates in a moulded foot. A narrow band is carved around the upper section of the plinth and carries the following inscription on inset panels in relief carved letters THINE IS THE KINGDOM (west face)/ THE POWER AND THE GLORY (south face)/ FOR EVER AND EVER (east face). Incised to the north face of the band are the words BLESSED ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE/ THE LORD FOR THEIR GOD.

Affixed to the south face of the plinth, and standing on a moulded stone ledge, is a marble plaque with curved top carrying the inscription IN/ LOVING AND GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF/ (12 NAMES)/ WHO DIED/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR. A further inscription is incised directly into the north face of the plinth and reads THIS/ MONUMENT/ WAS ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTION/ TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND AS/ A MEMORIAL OF THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 TO 1919./ ALSO TO KEEP IN MEMORY/ THE MEN OF LIVERMERE/ WHO FELL IN THAT WAR,/ AND TO/ GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE/ PATRIOTISM OF THE/ OTHER FIFTY-ONE LOCAL MEN/ WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN/ ITS TIME OF PERIL. Carved in relief to the east face of the plinth is a crossed swords and lances motif, with a blank pennant curving between them at the top, the royal monogram 'GR' overlaid in the middle, and a soldier’s cap below. To the opposite (west) face of the plinth is a crossed rifles motif with a laurel wreath all carved in relief.

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 Livermere 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 memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 24 April 1920 by Mrs J A H Wood on behalf of her mother, Lady de Saumarez. It was designed by F E Hawkins and erected by Mr F H Goddard of Bury St Edmunds, who also built a number of other war memorials in the St Edmundsbury area. The memorial commemorates the 12 local servicemen who died in the First World War as well as the 51 men from the community who served and returned.

Reasons for Listing

Great Livermere War Memorial, which is situated at the junction of The Street and Church Road, 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 well-executed Latin cross memorial with a substantial plinth, demonstrating fine craftsmanship in the carved motifs to the east and west faces.

Group value:

* with the Grade II-listed buildings, the Post Office and 27 and 28 The Street.

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.