Summary
First World War memorial, circa 1920.
Reasons for Designation
Besthorpe War Memorial, which is situated in All Saints 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 this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Design: as a simple but well-executed stone wheel head cross;
* Group value: with the Grade I-listed Church of All Saints, and the nearby Grade II-listed Besthorpe Hall.
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.
Details
Besthorpe War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of All Saints, Bunwell Road, Besthorpe, Norfolk. It comprises a stone wheel-head cross on a tapering plinth with a two-stepped square-section base. The plinth bears an inscription in incised lettering but this is difficult to read.
End of official list entry
