Summary
First World War memorial, erected around 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, erected around 1920, with Second World War additions.
MATERIALS: grey granite
DESCRIPTION: Scottow War Memorial is located on a triangular green at the junction of The Fairstead, near to the northern end of Coltishall Airfield runway, Scottow, Norfolk. It comprises a rough-hewn Latin cross on a four-tiered base and surrounded by a narrow band of gravel. The tiered plinth bears the inscriptions in incised lettering.
The inscription is incised and reads IN HONOUR OF THESE/ SCOTTOW MEN/ (NAMES)/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR US/ 1914 – 1918/ R.I.P.// 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).
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 Scottow as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Scottow War Memorial was situated at an important four-roads crossway in the village, known as The Fairstead. The memorial was presumably erected around 1920 and commemorates 10 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and three men who fell in the Second World War.
The memorial was originally surrounded by iron railings, part of which were damaged in August 1922, allegedly by a local labourer. They had consisted of four low corner posts connected by bars.
Reasons for Listing
Scottow War Memorial, which is situated on a triangular green at the junction of The Fairstead, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a simple but well-executed granite cross.
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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