Withersfield War Memorial

Town Green, Withersfield, Suffolk

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1921, with a Second World War addition. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1433917
Date first listed:: 04-Apr-2016
List Entry Name:: Withersfield War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Town Green, Withersfield, Suffolk

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1433917
Date first listed:: 04-Apr-2016
List Entry Name:: Withersfield War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Town Green, Withersfield, Suffolk

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Town Green, Withersfield, Suffolk

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Suffolk
District:: West Suffolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Withersfield
National Grid Reference:: TL6527647725

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1921, with a Second World War addition.

Reasons for Designation

Withersfield War Memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1921, with a Second World War addition, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;

* Design interest: as an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form of a granite obelisk; * Group value: it has a strong group value with the Church of St Mary and The Rectory, both listed Grade II*.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. One such memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 12th August 1921 at Withersfield village green to commemorate the 15 local men who died during the conflict. It was sculpted by Mr E C Green, dedicated by Rev W G Hodges and unveiled by Lieutenant H Lake. Following the Second World War a further name was added to honour a local man who fought and died during this conflict.

Details

First World War memorial, unveiled and dedicated in 1921, with a Second World War addition.

MATERIALS: of Portland stone.

PLAN: it is square on plan.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands on Town Green and faces south-east. It comprises a three-step base, a square plinth and an obelisk surmounted by a Latin cross. The south-east face of the obelisk is inscribed with the First World War dedication which reads 'IN MEMORY OF / THE GLORIOUS / SACRIFICE / OF THE MEN OF / WITHERSFIELD / WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1919'. Inscribed on the south-east, north-east and south-west faces of the plinth are the names of the men who died. The top step of the base is inscribed 'LET THOSE THAT COME AFTER / SEE THEIR NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN' while the second step is inscribed '1939 - 1945' with a single name below.

The gravel enclosure within which the memorial stands, along with the concrete kerb stones, are excluded from the listing.

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, 13 January 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 13 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/239062
War Memorials Register, accessed 26 February 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5293

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

The listed building(s) is/are shown coloured blue on the attached map. Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’), structures attached to or within the curtilage of the listed building (save those coloured blue on the map: a three-step base, square plinth and obelisk surmounted by a Latin cross) are not to be treated as part of the listed building for the purposes of the Act.