Summary
First World War memorial cross in Portland stone, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade I-listed), in close proximity to a number of Grade II-listed buildings. In Portland stone, it comprises a wheel-head cross rising from the corniced top of a tapering column, rectangular on plan. The cross head is ornamented with carved interlace patterns, whilst the slim entablature of the cornice is decorated with leaves and flowers carved in relief. The column stands on a simple base.
The principal dedicatory inscription incised into the front face of the columns reads TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN/ HONOURED/ MEMORY OF/ (15 NAMES)/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ 1914-1918/ ALSO OF/ (6 NAMES)/ 1939-1945. An inscription to the front face of the base reads THE MEN WERE VERY GOOD UNTO US AND/ WE WERE NOT HURT. THEY WERE A WALL/ UNTO US BOTH BY NIGHT AND DAY/ 1 SAM. 25 V.15-16.
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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
One such memorial was raised at Great Glemham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 15 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 13 June and dedicated by Canon Lawrence. The names of six parishioners who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Great Glemham War Memorial, which stands in the 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:
* an unusual example of a wheel-head cross war memorial, in the Celtic style, in Portland stone.
Group value:
* with the Church of All Saints (Grade I-listed) and Grade II-listed buildings including The Cottage, Church Cottages, a K6 Telephone Kiosk, and the group of Martha’s Cottage, Post Office and Wisteria Cottage.
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
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Period Property Manual (New Ed)
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas