Summary
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent position at the eastern end of the churchyard, close to the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I).
The memorial is 5m high and comprises a plain stone Latin cross set atop a tall and gently tapering octagonal shaft. This stands on a substantial square plinth with chamfered corners, mounted on a substantial three-stepped square stone base.
A bronze plaque affixed to the southern face of the plinth reads: IN PROUD AND GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ THESE NOBLY PLAYED THEIR PARTS/ THESE HEARD THE CALL/ FOR GOD AND KING AND HOME/ THEY GAVE THEIR ALL.
On the north face a bronze plaque reads: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ (30 NAMES IN 2 COLUMNS).
On the west face a later plaque reads: 1939 – 1945/ (SIX NAMES IN TWO COLUMNS) .
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 Blundeston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 30 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled in 1921.
The names of the six parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Blundeston 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 an elegant and striking Latin cross.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I).
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
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
For the Record
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)