Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands within the churchyard of the church of St Mary (Grade II*), and consists of a Portland stone Latin cross, bearing a stone carved sword of sacrifice. The cross rises from an octagonal plinth which stands on a four stepped base, the top two steps of which are incised with inscriptions.
The principal dedicatory inscription on the plinth reads: IN TRIBUTE OF ALL WHO FOUGHT AND IN EVER / CONSTANT MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT WAR / AUGUST 4TH 1914 JUNE 28TH 1919 / THIS CROSS IS ERECTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF FRISTON / (NAMES)

The top step bears the inscription THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

The second step bears the inscription 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. One such memorial was raised at Friston, Suffolk.

Friston War Memorial was constructed by Mr Moss of Cemetery Road, Ipswich. The design is derived from the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield’s ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission. Variations on Blomfield’s design appeared in stone masons' catalogues and were chosen for local war memorials across England. It was dedicated on 22 May 1920 by Ven J G R Darling and unveiled by Miss Monica Heywood. It includes the names of 15 men of the parish who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War the seven names of the fallen of that conflict were added to the memorial along with the dates 1939 - 1945.

In 2012, the memorial was repaired with funding from War Memorials Trust.

Reasons for Listing

Friston War Memorial, erected in 1920, 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;
* Design: an elegant Latin stone cross, derived from the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield’s ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed church of St Mary.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26678114

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

• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)