Summary
A war memorial cross of 1920 by E E Saunders of Ipswich.
Description
A war memorial of 1920 date by E E Saunders of Ipswich.
MATERIALS: constructed of Clipsham stone.
DESCRIPTION: comprising a Latin cross on a tapering chamfered shaft above a three-stepped square plinth. The plinth is inscribed: TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF/ OUR MEN WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ (NAMES)/ LEST WE FORGET. The plinth is set within a stepped base which has an inserted stone plaque to the centre of the top step inscribed: 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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 Levington 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 constructed by Mr E E Saunders of Ipswich and was unveiled on 25 September 1920. The memorial was later altered to commemorate the fallen of the Second World War, and stands by the Church of St Peter (listed at Grade I).
Reasons for Listing
Levington War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* it is an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* it is a well-detailed war memorial in the form of a Latin cross.
Group value:
* it has group value with the Church of St Peter (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
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)