Friston War Memorial

Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Friston, IP17 1PX

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1435814
Date first listed:: 22-Jun-2016
List Entry Name:: Friston War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Friston, IP17 1PX

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1435814
Date first listed:: 22-Jun-2016
List Entry Name:: Friston War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Friston, IP17 1PX

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:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Friston, IP17 1PX

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

County:: Suffolk
District:: East Suffolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Friston
National Grid Reference:: TM4137260483

Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Friston War Memorial, erected in 1920, 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: an elegant Latin stone cross, derived from the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield’s ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission; * Group value: with the Grade II*-listed church of St Mary.

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 Friston, Suffolk.

Friston War Memorial was constructed by Mr Moss of Cemetery Road, Ipswich. The design is derived from the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield’s ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission. Variations on Blomfield’s design appeared in stone masons' catalogues and were chosen for local war memorials across England. It was dedicated on 22 May 1920 by Ven J G R Darling and unveiled by Miss Monica Heywood. It includes the names of 15 men of the parish who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War the seven names of the fallen of that conflict were added to the memorial along with the dates 1939 - 1945.

In 2012, the memorial was repaired with funding from War Memorials Trust.

Details

First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands within the churchyard of the church of St Mary (Grade II*), and consists of a Portland stone Latin cross, bearing a stone carved sword of sacrifice. The cross rises from an octagonal plinth which stands on a four stepped base, the top two steps of which are incised with inscriptions. The principal dedicatory inscription on the plinth reads: IN TRIBUTE OF ALL WHO FOUGHT AND IN EVER / CONSTANT MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN / THE GREAT WAR / AUGUST 4TH 1914 JUNE 28TH 1919 / THIS CROSS IS ERECTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF FRISTON / (NAMES)

The top step bears the inscription THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

The second step bears the inscription 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 10 May 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/117206
War Memorials Register, accessed 10 May 2016 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5498
War Memorials Trust, Grants/Showcase - entry for Friston, accessed 10 May 2016 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=979
Other
The East Anglian Daily Times, 26 May 1920

Legal

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