Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1920.
Description
First World War memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1920.
MATERIALS: stone.
DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in a prominent roadside position within a small hedged enclosure on the north side of the village green and to the north-west of the Church of St Mary (Grade I).
It comprises a tall obelisk which tapers in octagonal section from a deep, square pedestal standing on a substantial octagonal plinth. The whole stands on a three-stepped base which is curved at the front (south side). Carved in shallow relief on the front (south) of the base of the pedestal is the Emblem on Victory (a wreath with crossed swords) along with the words: 'THE / WAR / 1914 / 1918'. The dedicatory inscription is inscribed on the north, east and west faces of the pedestal and reads 'TO THE / GLORY / OF / GOD / IN MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF / HAWKEDON / 'GREATER LOVE / HATH / NO MAN'. The names of the nine men who died are inscribed on the eight faces of the octagonal plinth.
History
The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of war 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 at Hawkedon in Suffolk as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the 9 men of the parish who died during the conflict. It was designed and manufactured by FH Goddard of Bury St Edmunds, monumental masons who built several other war memorials in nearby parishes. The memorial was unveiled on 8 August 1920 by Colonel OH Oakes of Thurston End Hall and dedicated by the Reverend C Pierrepont Edwards, MC, formerly chaplain to the 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. It was paid for by public subscription.
Reasons for Listing
Hawkedon War Memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1920, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of a world event on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the First World War.
Architectural interest:
* as an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form on an obelisk.
Group value:
* with the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary.
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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