Fersfield War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial unveiled on 13 February 1921.

Reasons for Designation

Fersfield War Memorial, which is situated in St Andrew’s Churchyard, 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: as a simple but well-executed stone cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I- listed Church of St Andrew, the Grade II-listed Fersfield Rectory and the Grade II-listed Hall Cottages.

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

Fersfield War Memorial Committee was chaired by the Reverend C E Woode, and the Honorary Secretary, who collected the public subscriptions, was a Mr Boggis. Fersfield, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was erected in 1921, and appears to be unaltered. The memorial commemorates four local servicemen who fell in the First World War.

The memorial was paid for by public subscription, and by collection at the unveiling service. It was erected by Messrs Cooley and Son, the work costing £49. The remaining balance of the war memorial fund, of £2 7s 7d was sent to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The memorial was unveiled by Colonel Mornement and dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Norwich on Sunday, 13 February 1921.

Details

Fersfield War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church, High Street, Fersfield, Norfolk. It is prominently situated at the churchyard entrance, facing visitors as they enter the gates. It comprises a slender wheel head cross on a tall, capped, four-sided plinth with three-stepped base below. The plinth bears the inscriptions to the front face. The memorial appears to have been unaltered since it was unveiled.

The inscription reads: IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT/ WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ GREATER LOVE HATH NO/ MAN THAN THIS THAT A/ MAN LAY DOWN HIS/ LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.


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, 25 September 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 25 September 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/253739

Other
Announcement of unveiling, Diss Express, Friday 11 February 1921, p.1.
Summary of War Memorial Fund balance sheet, Diss Express, Friday 18 March 1921, p.5

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