Summary

First World War memorial, c.1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

MATERIALS: grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Blofield War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Andrew and St Peter’s Church, Church Road, Blofield. It is prominently situated in the churchyard by the church tower. The memorial comprises a wheel-head cross on a tapering plinth bearing inscriptions, atop a three-stepped base. The plinth bears inscriptions in leaded lettering.

The inscription reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS/ PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 2017.

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 war memorial was raised at Blofield as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Blofield memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected c.1920. In addition to the scheme to have a cross in the churchyard, parishioners bought the Blofield Recreation Ground as part of the tribute to those who died. The memorial commemorates 32 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and seven men who fell in the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Blofield War Memorial, which is situated in St Andrew and St Peter’s Churchyard, 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: a simple but well-executed granite cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Andrew and St Peter.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478417

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

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  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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