Martham War Memorial, Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin

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Overview

First World War memorial, erected c1920, with Second World War additions. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1438079
Date first listed:: 09-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Martham War Memorial, Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin

The war memorial stands in the churchyard in front of St Mary's Church. — Uploaded by Robert Walton This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1438079
Date first listed:: 09-Nov-2016
List Entry Name:: Martham War Memorial, Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin
Location Description:: Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Black Street, Martham, Norfolk, NR29 4PR

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

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

County:: Norfolk
District:: Great Yarmouth (District Authority)
Parish:: Martham
National Grid Reference:: TG4549218408

Summary

First World War memorial, erected c1920, with Second World War additions.

Reasons for Designation

Martham War Memorial, erected c1920, with Second World War additions, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20;

* Design interest: as an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the simple form of a wheel-head cross;

* Group value: it forms a strong visual group with the Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I) and the vicarage (Grade II).

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 the country. One such memorial was erected around 1920 in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Martham to commemorate the 41 local men who died during the conflict. After the Second World War a further 10 names were added in memory of the men who died during this conflict.

Details

First World War memorial, erected c1920, with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: of Portland stone.

PLAN: it is octagonal on plan.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, c20m to the south of the south porch, and faces south-west towards Black Street. It comprises an octagonal concrete plinth, a three-step octagonal base and a square pedestal with inset plaques. A tall shaft, with pyramidal stops, rises and tapers in octagonal section from a moulded and square base to a shallow cushion capital supporting a small, square pedestal inscribed with the christogram 'IHS' in relief. Set upon this small pedestal is a wheel-head cross with octagonal arms and terminal stops. The First World War dedicatory inscription is inscribed on the south-east face of the main pedestal and reads: 'TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ THE GIVER OF VICTORY/ AND/ IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1919'. Plaques on the remaining three sides are inscribed with the names of the 41 war dead. The top step of the base is inscribed 'AND IN THE WORLD WAR / 1939 - 1945' with the names of the 10 men who died during this conflict inscribed on the middle step.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 26 July 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/19939

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: an octagonal plinth, a stepped octagonal base, a square pedestal and a shaft surmounted by a wheel-head cross) are not to be treated as part of the listed building for the purposes of the Act.<br /><br />