Summary
First World War memorial, erected in 1921, with later addition for the Second World War.
Description
First World War memorial, erected in 1921, with later addition for the Second World War.
DESCRIPTION
The memorial stands in a prominent position in the churchyard. It is carved from stone and comprises a Maltese cross-head and tapering shaft set upon a square, outswept, two-stage plinth and a single-stepped base. The centre of the cross contains a relief carving of a wreath with the initials IHS at its centre; all the faces have raised edging.
The dedicatory inscription to the front face of the plinth and reads: 1914 – 1918/ TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914 – 1918/ SONS OF THIS PLACE, LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID,/ THAT YOU WHO LIVE, ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD,/ THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES, THAT YOU WHO LIVE MAY REAP/ A RICHER HARVEST, ERE YOU FALL ASLEEP
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 Lidgate 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 AH Hanchet, monumental mason, of Bury St Edmunds who erected a number of war memorials in the Suffolk area. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 9 January 1921 by Lieutenant-Colonel AH Catchpole, attended by local clergy and dignitaries.
The names of the fallen from the Second World War were added in 2019
Reasons for Listing
Lidgate War Memorial, which was erected in 1921, 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 well-executed Maltese cross with carved detailing.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade II*) and the scheduled monument of Lidgate Castle and manorial complex.
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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