Summary

First and Second World War Memorial in the form of a stone cross.

Description

Tall stone cross resting on a splayed plinth. The plinth's front face features a wreath with a banner, on either side of which are the inscriptions: 1914 1919 and: 1939 1945. This rests on a three-stepped stone base; the top step is inscribed: PRO PATRIA; and the bottom: LEST WE FORGET.

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, 3 March 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. 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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised in West Norwood outside St Luke's Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifices made by the members of the local community.

The names of the First World War dead are recorded on two plaques affixed to the church outside the entrance (listed separately).

Reasons for Listing

West Norwood War Memorial 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 sacrifices they made in the conflicts of the C20;

* Design: as a simple yet dignified stone cross war memorial;

* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Luke and the church's Grade II-listed wall and gate piers.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478396

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

• 
  Suffolk: East (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
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)