Summary

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

Description

MATERIALS: limestone.

DESCRIPTION: Cranworth, Letton and Southburgh War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Shipdham Road, Cranworth. It is prominently situated just inside the churchyard entrance gate, by the path leading to the church. The memorial comprises a stone sculpture of a winged angel in draped robes pointing upwards with her right hand, atop a four-sided pillar with inset marble inscription panels, beneath which is a three-stepped base.

The inscription is in leaded lettering and reads: TO/ THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE MEN OF/ CRANWORTH, LETTON/ & SOUTHBURGH/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919/ (NAMES)/ GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN/ THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE/ FOR HIS FRIENDS// ALSO/ IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF THE MEN WHO FELL IN THE/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ THE MEN WERE VERY GOOD UNTO US/ AND WE WERE NOT HURT, THEY WERE/ A WALL UNTO US BOTH BY NIGHT/ AND BY DAY/ I.SAM: 25.15.16.

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 Cranworth as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Cranworth memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected c.1920. The memorial commemorates 12 servicemen from Cranworth, Letton and Southburgh who fell in the First World War and two men who fell in the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Cranworth, Letton and Southburgh War Memorial, which is situated in St Mary’s 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: an elegant and traditionally-inspired churchyard angel statue;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary and Grade II-listed Old Rectory.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478483

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

• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets