Summary

First World War memorial, with later additions.

Description

The memorial, of red granite, consists of an obelisk set on a square tapering plinth, which sits on a two-stepped square base.

The front face of the plinth bears an inscription that reads ERECTED / IN GRATEFUL MEMORY / TO THE MEN OF METHWOLD / WHO LOST THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919 / GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, / THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE / FOR HIS FRIENDS, with the names of those who fell in the First World War listed on the remaining faces of the plinth.

In addition, the front face of the first step of the base reads ALSO THE FALLEN IN WAR / 1939 – 1945, with the names of those who fell in the Second World War listed on the remaining faces of the top step of the base. All inscriptions are incised and painted black.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw a huge wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. One such memorial was erected to commemorate the 40 men from Methwold village who lost their lives. A further dedication was added, commemorating those who lost their lives during the Second World War. Conservation and repair work was carried out in 2014, funded by War Memorials Trust; this included cleaning the memorial, repointing cracks, and repainting the inscription.

Reasons for Listing

Methwold War Memorial, situated within Methwold Cemetery, 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;

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677622

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.

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