Holme-next-the-Sea War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial with Second World War additions.

Reasons for Designation

Holme-next-the-Sea war memorial, which is situated in St Mary’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.

Architectural interest:

* A well-executed Latin cross fleurée memorial.

Group value:

* With the Grade I-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. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also 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. One such memorial was raised at Holme-next-the-Sea as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Like many Norfolk war memorials, the example at Holme-next-the-Sea is situated within the churchyard. The memorial was presumably erected not long after the end of the First World War and was in situ by the Ordnance Survey County Series 25in map published in 1928. It commemorates 12 local servicemen who died in the conflict.

Following the Second World War, the dates of the war and the names of the four men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.

Details

First World War memorial with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: Holme-next-the-Sea war memorial is located on a raised bank in the churchyard, adjacent to the entrance gates, to the south of the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary.

It comprises a stone, Latin cross fleurée with a tall shaft and moulded foot. The east face of the cross-head has the dates 1914 – 1918 incised across the horizontal arms, while the west face has the dates 1939 – 1945. The shaft is inset to the east face with an inverted sword carved in relief. It rises from a four-sided, tapering plinth upon a two-stepped, chamfered base. The whole surmounts a concrete block with steps to the east side leading up the bank from the churchyard path to the memorial. The concrete base has four floral tribute holders at each corner.

The plinth bears the inscription and names (including regiment) in incised lettering, painted black. To the north face of the plinth are the words THIS MEMORIAL/ WAS ERECTED/ BY THE PARISHIONERS./ IN MEMORY OF/ OUR GALLANT MEN/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WARS. The east face reads (6 NAMES)/ GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT/ A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. Directly below to the upper step of the base are the words HOLME WAR MEMORIAL. The south face of the plinth reads (6 NAMES)/ THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR A RIGHTEOUS CAUSE.

The names of the four men who died in the Second World War are on the west face of the plinth.

Sources

Websites
War Memorial Register, accessed 22 September 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/41601
War Memorials Online, accessed 22 September 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/163835/
‘St Mary’s Church – War Memorial’, Holme-next-the-Sea Norfolk, accessed 22 September 2017 from http://www.holme-next-the-sea.co.uk/warmem.php

Other
OS Map 25” (1928 edn)

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