Summary
First World War memorial, 1920.
Description
First World War memorial, 1920.
MATERIALS: Clipsham stone, brick.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent position on a small triangle of grass at the junction of Ipswich Road and The Street, at the centre of the village.
The memorial comprises a small Latin cross on a tall, tapering octagonal column with an octagonal plinth above a conical brick and stone structure, set on a paved brick octagonal base. The cross, column and plinth are carved from Clipsham stone and the memorial stands approximately 5m high.
The main inscription in incised and black-painted lettering around three sides of the octagonal plinth reads: THIS CROSS/ WAS ERECTED TO THE GLORY OF GOD &/ TO THE HONOUR & GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF OUR MEN WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914–1918.
The names of the 18 men who died are carved around the two stone bands that form part of the brick and stone conical structure below the octagonal plinth.
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 Nacton 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 designed by Mr C E Eden (architect) of Ipswich and erected by Mr E E Saunders of Ipswich, who built many of the county’s war memorials. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 3 October 1920 by Viscount Allenby GCB GC MG.
Reasons for Listing
Nacton War Memorial, which stands in a prominent position on a small triangle of grass at the junction of Ipswich Road and The Street, 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 elegant example of a Latin cross type of war memorial with an unusual and decorative conical plinth.
External Links
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Recommended Books
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