Summary

First World War memorial, c.1920, with Second World War additions.

Description

Buckenham War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Nicholas Church, Church Road, Buckenham. The memorial comprises a small stone Latin cross on a tapering plinth and small square-sectioned step. The cross head has a floriated cross carved in relief to the front surface. The front of the plinth bears an inscription in leaded lettering but this is difficult to read.

The inscription is in leaded lettering and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF OUR BROTHERS WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES).

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 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, 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.

One such war memorial was raised at Buckenham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Buckenham memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected, c.1920. The memorial commemorates three local servicemen who fell in the First World War and one man who fell in the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Buckenham War Memorial, which is situated in St Nicholas’ 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: a small but well-executed granite cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Nicholas.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478465

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

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  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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