Summary
First World War memorial with later adaptations for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Cawston War Memorial, situated in Cawston Cemetery, 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;
* Design: a well-executed cross in the medieval style.
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. One such memorial was raised at Cawston c1920, possibly funded by the Parish Council and the local British Legion branch, to commemorate the 33 servicemen from the village who died fighting during the First World War. Another inscription listing the names of those who fell in the Second World War was added in 1950.
Details
The memorial stands in the footpath running through Cawston Cemetery, at the centre of the cemetery. Of Clipsham limestone, it comprises a wheel-head cross rising from a lantern on a tall, octagonal, shaft. The shaft rises from a square plinth, that stands on a two-stepped brick and limestone base. The cross head arms terminate in carved trefoils. The lantern is decorated with carved quatrefoils enclosing rosettes on each side, with pinnacles at each corner.
End of official list entry
