Summary
First World War memorial, erected around1920.
Description
First World War memorial, erected around 1920.
MATERIALS: grey granite.
DESCRIPTION: Suffield War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, Suffield Common, Suffield, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the churchyard near to the east window of the church. It comprises a rough-hewn wheel-head cross on a plinth with two-stepped base. The plinth bears the inscriptions in leaded lettering.
The inscription is in leaded lettering and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM SUFFIELD WHO FELL DURING/ THE GREAT WAR, A.D. 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
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 Suffield as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Suffield, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected, around 1920. The memorial commemorates seven local servicemen who fell in the First World War.
Reasons for Listing
Suffield War Memorial, which is situated in St Margaret’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 a simple but well-executed granite cross.
Group value:
* with the Grade-I listed Church of St Margaret.
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
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
For the Record
Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
Old House Care and Repair