Summary
First World War memorial, around 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, around 1920.
MATERIALS: grey granite.
DESCRIPTION: Toft Monks War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Margaret, Pound Lane, Toft Monks, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the north part of the churchyard, between the road and the church building, facing the road. It comprises a rough-hewn wheel-head cross on a tapering four-sided plinth with single-stepped base. The plinth bears the inscriptions in incised lettering.
The inscription reads TO/ THOSE WHO DIED/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918// (NAMES)// (NAMES)// LEST WE FORGET/ 1939 – 45/ THESE WERE THEY/ WHO STROVE TO SET THE NATIONS FREE/ NOT ONLY FROM THE SWORD’S BRUTE SWAY/ BUT FROM THE SPIRIT’S SLAVERY/ (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 Toft Monks as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Toft Monks War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected around 1920. The memorial commemorates nine local servicemen who fell in the First World War and three men who fell in the Second World War.
Reasons for Listing
Toft Monks 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 dignified 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
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)