Summary
First World War memorial obelisk, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
Wendling war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of SS Peter and Paul (Grade II*-listed). Approximately 3m tall, it is prominently situated on the east side of the path leading to the church. It comprises a stone obelisk, square on plan, standing on a corniced plinth. The plinth has a moulded foot and base and bears the inscriptions in incised and black-painted lettering.
The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the plinth reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ (7 NAMES)/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918./ ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS. The later dedication, recorded on the south face of the plinth, reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ (3 NAMES)/ WHO FELL IN THE WAR OF/ 1939 - 1945. The First World War names are recorded without rank, whilst the Second World War names include the rank of each of the three men.
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 Wendling as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by seven members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of three men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Wendling War Memorial Obelisk, 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 conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a simple yet dignified stone obelisk in the Classical style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Grade II*-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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