Summary
First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.
MATERIALS: Clipsham stone.
DESCRIPTION: Overstrand War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the south side of the churchyard, inside one of the churchyard entrances. It comprises a 5m tall Clipsham stone wheel-head cross, pierced and cusped, atop a slender octagonal shaft with moulded collar and foot, surmounting a pentagonal plinth and three-stepped base.
The inscription is carved in relief and reads TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND TO KEEP/ IN REMEMBRANCE THE/ MEN OF OVERSTRAND/ WHO GAVE THIER LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919// GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY/ DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.// (NAMES)// 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 Overstrand as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Overstrand, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday 23 May 1920. It was unveiled by Lord Hillingdon and dedicated by the Rector, the Reverend L C Carr. The memorial commemorates 40 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 12 men who fell in the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Overstrand War Memorial, which is situated in St Martin’s 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 an elegant slender cross executed skilfully in good quality stone.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Martin and the Grade II-listed Overstrand Hall.
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.
Recommended Books
Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)