History in Structure

West Somerton War Memorial

A Grade II Listed Building in Somerton, Norfolk

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.7184 / 52°43'6"N

Longitude: 1.661 / 1°39'39"E

OS Eastings: 647343

OS Northings: 319708

OS Grid: TG473197

Mapcode National: GBR YNV.DS0

Mapcode Global: WHNVC.HX5V

Plus Code: 9F43PM96+99

Entry Name: West Somerton War Memorial

Listing Date: 6 August 2019

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1465461

ID on this website: 101465461

Location: West Somerton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29

County: Norfolk

District: Great Yarmouth

Civil Parish: Somerton

Traditional County: Norfolk

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Norfolk

Tagged with: War memorial

Summary


A First World War memorial, erected in around 1920; altered after the Second World War.

Description


A First World War memorial, erected in around 1920; altered after the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Granite.

DESCRIPTION: West Somerton War Memorial is located at a road junction on the corner on a rise of ground. It comprises a chamfered octagonal pillar supporting a sculpted, sleeping lion. The pillar stands on an octagonal plinth with a moulded top lip and a rough-hewn octagonal tier base. The front (north-east) face of the pillar carries the inscription: IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF / EAST AND WEST SOMERTON / WHO FOUGHT IN THE GREAT / WAR FOR LIBERTY 1914 1919 / THE FOLLOWING GAVE THEIR LIVES with the names of the 15 fallen below. Below this is inscribed “WHO WOULD TRUE VALOUR SEE / LET HIM COME HITHER".

On the north-west face of the memorial is the inscription IN THE / 1939 - 1945 / WAR followed by one name, and below MADE THE / SUPREME / SACRIFICE followed by the name of the second parishioner who fell in that conflict.

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 750,000 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 West Somerton, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 15 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

West Somerton War Memorial was erected in around 1920. The memorial commemorates the fallen from both East and West Somerton and as such is located between the two settlements. Part of the First World War inscription is adapted from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the two men who fell in that conflict, one of which was presumably added at a later date.

Reasons for Listing


West Somerton War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as 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:

* as a striking granite monument with a sculpted lion at the top.

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

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.