Summary

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

Description

MATERIALS: grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Bracon Ash and Hethel War Memorial is located at the roadside at the junction of B1113 (The Street) and Hawkes Lane, Bracon Ash, South Norfolk. It is prominently situated on a triangular green in front of the village hall. It comprises a granite obelisk of three sections, standing on a square-sectioned rough-hewn plinth that has a dressed cornice and recessed smooth panels bearing blacked leaded inscriptions. This stands on a low, single-step base. The memorial is enclosed by four low, rough-hewn, four-sided grey granite posts which are connected by metal bars.

The inscription is in leaded lettering and on the front face reads TO OUR/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD/ 1914 + 1919. To the right are the names of the fallen of the First World War above the inscription “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN/ THIS: THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS/ LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”. To the rear is SECOND WORLD WAR/ 1939 + 1945/ (NAME). The final side reads (NAME).

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.

Bracon Ash and Hethel War Memorial was situated on a neutral piece of village green at the junction of The Street and Hawkes Lane. The memorial was presumably erected circa 1920. The memorial commemorates 16 local servicemen who fell in the First World War. The name of one man who fell in the Second World War was added later.

Reasons for Listing

Bracon Ash and Hethel War Memorial, which is situated at the roadside at the junction of B1113 (The Street) and Hawkes Lane, 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 sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: as a simple but well-executed granite obelisk.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478439

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

• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments