Summary
First World War memorial, erected 1920 by EE Saunders of Ipswich, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, erected 1920 by EE Saunders of Ipswich, with Second World War additions.
MATERIALS: Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent position in the south side of the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (listed Grade II*), on the west side of the footpath leading to the south porch. It takes the form of a Latin cross bearing a relief carving of a laurel wreath which rises from tall shaft which tapers in octagonal section from a battered octagonal plinth, the whole standing on a three-stepped base.
The First World War dedicatory inscription is in incised lettering on the south face of the plinth and the top step of the base and reads TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND IN / LOVING MEMORY / OF THE / BRAVE MEN / OF THIS PARISH / WHO GAVE THEIR / LIVES FOR THEIR / COUNTRY / IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / THEIR NAME LIVETH / FOR EVERMORE. The names of the 12 local servicemen who died are inscribed on the plinth's east and west faces.
A further inscription on the plinth's north face reads ALSO THOSE / WHO FELL IN THE / SECOND / WORLD WAR [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. 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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
One such memorial was raised in the Suffolk parish of Harkstead as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 12 local servicemen who lost their lives during the conflict. Designed and built by EE Saunders of Ipswich, it was unveiled on 9 June 1920 by Brigadier-General EH Rodwell and dedicated by Reverend HA Berner, Rector of Harkstead.
Following the Second World War the names of the four local servicemen who died during that conflict were added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Harkstead War Memorial, erected in 1920 by EE Saunders of Ipswich, with Second World War additions, 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 simple but well-executed Latin cross.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (listed Grade II*).
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
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)