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: Skeyton War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints, Church Road, Skeyton, Norfolk. It is prominently situated at the south edge of the churchyard, in line with the church tower, facing the road. It comprises a rough-hewn wheel-head cross with Sword of Sacrifice in relief on the face, on a plinth with First World War inscriptions, and a single-stepped base, where the Second World War inscriptions were added. Beneath this, there is a deep concrete foundation block that sets the memorial into the bank of the churchyard.
The inscription is in leaded lettering and reads 1920/ ERECTED BY THE PARISH/ IN MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918// 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 Skeyton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Skeyton War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was erected in 1920. The memorial commemorates nine local servicemen who fell in the First World War and three men who fell in the Second World War.
Skeyton Parish Council conserved the memorial in 2010 and further renovation was carried out in 2016.
Reasons for Listing
Skeyton War Memorial, which is situated in All Saints' 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:
* a simple but well-executed granite cross.
Group value:
* with the Grade II*-listed Church of All Saints.
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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