Summary
First World War memorial limestone cross.
Description
The limestone war memorial stands to the south of the Church of St Mary (Grade I-listed), in the churchyard. It comprises a plain Latin cross rising from a simple collar at the top of a tall shaft, square on plan. The cross shaft stands on a tapering pedestal, which stands on a three-stepped octagonal base. The plinth and uppermost step of the base bears the inscriptions, in incised lettering.
The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the pedestal reads IN/ GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919. The commemorated names are listed on two faces of the pedestal, whilst below on the front face of the upper step an inscription reads GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS. THAT A MAN LAY/ DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS./ “PEACE, PERFECT PEACE.”
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 Norton Subcourse 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 11 local servicemen who died in the First World War.
Reasons for Listing
Norton Subcourse 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:
* a simple yet poignant war memorial cross;
* 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 St Mary (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.
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