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 memorial stands in the churchyard, immediately to the south of the Church of St Mary (Grade II*) and close to The Old Rectory (Grade II).
The memorial comprises an elaborately carved stone crucifix on a tapering square plinth with a two-stepped square base. It stands approximately 2.7m high. Above the stone figure of Christ is a carved scroll inscribed with INRI.
At the foot of the plinth on the west side of the memorial is a rectangular stone plaque with flower holders cut in on either side.
The main inscription in incised lettering on the west face of the plinth reads: (west face) TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED/ AND GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (north face) (4 NAMES)/ (south face) (3 NAMES).
An additional inscription on a rectangular stone plaque attached to the west face of the base reads: ALSO OF THOSE WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945/ (2 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Bucklesham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
It was erected by Messrs Clary and Wright (masons). The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 14 November 1920 by Sir Arthur Churchman MP.
The names of those parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.
Reasons for Listing
Bucklesham War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary, 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 sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as a striking and well-carved crucifix memorial..
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade II*) and The Old Rectory (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
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)