Summary

First World War memorial, with Second World War additions. Stone obelisk on a two-stepped square base, surrounded by concrete kerb.

Description

Gresham war memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade II*-listed), standing beside the churchyard wall and overlooking the entrance. It comprises a stone obelisk, square on plan, standing on a two-stepped stone base, and surrounded by a concrete kerb in-filled with gravel.

The principal dedicatory inscription on the front face of the obelisk reads: TO/ THE/ GLORIOUS/ MEMORY/ OF THE/ GRESHAM/ MEN/ WHO LAID DOWN/ THEIR LIVES/ FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ (12 NAMES).

An inscription to the front face of the uppermost step reads: THEY FOUGHT IN A NOBLE CAUSE/ THEY DIED THAT ENGLAND MIGHT LIVE. The Second World War inscription reads@ 1939-1945/ (6 NAMES).

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, 25 September 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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Gresham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial commemorates 12 local servicemen who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War, the names of six men who died in that conflict were added.

Reasons for Listing

Gresham War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints, 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 sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant memorial obelisk in the Classical style;
* Group value: with the Grade II*-listed Church of All Saints.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478790

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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