History in Structure

Snettisham War Memorial

A Grade II Listed Building in Snettisham, Norfolk

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Coordinates

Latitude: 52.8792 / 52°52'45"N

Longitude: 0.5028 / 0°30'10"E

OS Eastings: 568519

OS Northings: 334237

OS Grid: TF685342

Mapcode National: GBR P3N.FY2

Mapcode Global: WHKPM.PWMM

Plus Code: 9F42VGH3+M4

Entry Name: Snettisham War Memorial

Listing Date: 24 July 2018

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1456813

ID on this website: 101456813

Location: Snettisham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk, PE31

County: Norfolk

District: King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Civil Parish: Snettisham

Built-Up Area: Snettisham

Traditional County: Norfolk

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Norfolk

Tagged with: War memorial

Summary


First World War memorial, approximately 1920, with Second World War additions.

Description


First World War memorial, approximately 1920.

MATERIALS: Portland stone; Snettisham carrstone.

DESCRIPTION: Snettisham War Memorial is located at the roadside along the Lynn Road (B1440), where there is a triangular junction of Lynn Road, Hall Road and Old Church Road, Snettisham, Norfolk. It comprises a Portland stone Celtic wheel-head cross atop a wide, tapering shaft, beneath which is a tall plinth with deeply corniced upper section and moulded foot. Beneath this is a three-tiered base of carrstone blocks and brick. The whole is enclosed by metal railings. The plinth bears the inscriptions and names in incised lettering.

The inscription reads THIS/ MONUMENT WAS ERECTED/ BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTIONS/ IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918/ AND/ 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 Snettisham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Snettisham War Memorial was presumably erected around 1920. It was placed prominently in the heart of the town, on the old high street. The memorial commemorates 44 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 15 men who fell in the Second World War. It was paid for by public subscription.

A First World War name was added in 2014, the lower step of the base replaced and the enclosure repaved, following which the memorial was rededicated.

Reasons for Listing


Snettisham War Memorial, which is situated at the roadside along the Lynn Road (B1440) 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 unusual yet dignified Celtic cross.

Group value:

* with several Grade II-listed buildings on Hall Road, Lynn Road and School Road.

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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