Summary
First World War memorial cross, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Nicholas (Grade I-listed) and in close proximity to the Grade II-listed Rectory and Church Corner Cottage, Church Room, and Crossways Cottage. It comprises a Celtic cross decorated with intricate interlace patterns carved in relief to the cross-head and cross-shaft. The cross stands on a tapering pedestal carved to look like a rocky outcrop, with a narrow cap and an inscription panel to the front and rear. It is carved from pale grey granite and stands approximately 2.7m high.
The principal dedicatory inscription, in applied metal lettering, reads THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY THE REV./ E.R. YERBURGH, RECTOR OF WRENTHAM,/ IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF WRENTHAM/ WHO DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918./ ARMY (18 NAMES) NAVY (8 NAMES). The inscription to the rear reads ARMY/ (3 NAMES)/ 1939-1945/ (11 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 Wrentham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 29 members of the local community who died in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of 11 men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial. The memorial was refurbished in 2014.
Reasons for Listing
Wrentham War Memorial, which stands in the 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 richly ornamented wheel-head cross in the Celtic style.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Nicholas (Grade I-listed) and the Rectory and Church Corner Cottage, Church Room, and Crossways Cottage (all Grade II-listed).
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.
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