Summary
First World War memorial, 1919, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, 1919, with later additions for the Second World War.
MATERIALS: granite.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in the churchyard, to the north-west of the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade II*). The memorial comprises a Celtic cross on a tapering plinth with a single-stepped base. It is carved from polished granite and stands approximately 2.1m high. At the centre of the cross is a raised circular boss and on the arms of the cross is relief-carved interlace.
The main inscription in leaded lettering on the plinth reads: TO THE HONOURED MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF MARTLESHAM/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914–1918/ (12 NAMES).
On the back face of the plinth the 13 names of the servicemen who died in the Second World War are listed below the inscription which reads: ALSO OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945.
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 Martlesham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
It was erected by Mr A C Stephenson. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 14 December 1919.
Reasons for Listing
Martlesham War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, 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 finely carved example of a granite Celtic cross type of war memorial.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade II*).
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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