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: Shouldham Thorpe War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Shouldham Thorpe, Norfolk. It is prominently situated to the west of the church near to the church door. It comprises a rough-hewn wheel-head cross on a plinth with single-stepped base. The plinth has a smoothed face that bears the First World War inscriptions in leaded lettering. The Second World War inscriptions were placed onto a small metal plaque that was affixed to the lower shaft of the cross.
The inscription on the plinth is in leaded lettering and reads IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF THIS VILLAGE WHO DIED/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES).
The inscription on the Second World War plaque reads IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE/ WHO DIED IN THE WAR 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 Shouldham Thorpe as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Shouldham Thorpe War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected around 1920. The memorial commemorates eight local servicemen who fell in the First World War and three men who fell in the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Shouldham Thorpe War Memorial, which is situated in St Mary the Virgin 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 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.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Grade II-listed Hall House and Grade II-listed Foremans House.
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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