Belstead War Memorial

c20m to the south of School House, Junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, Belstead, Suffolk, IP8 3LP

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

Overview

First World War memorial cross, unveiled 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:: 1452387
Date first listed:: 02-Feb-2018
List Entry Name:: Belstead War Memorial
Statutory Address:: c20m to the south of School House, Junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, Belstead, Suffolk, IP8 3LP

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1452387
Date first listed:: 02-Feb-2018
List Entry Name:: Belstead War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: c20m to the south of School House, Junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, Belstead, Suffolk, IP8 3LP

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:: c20m to the south of School House, Junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, Belstead, Suffolk, IP8 3LP

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

County:: Suffolk
District:: Babergh (District Authority)
Parish:: Belstead
National Grid Reference:: TM1314041032

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Belstead War Memorial, which stands at the junction of Chapel Lane and Grove Hill, 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 simple yet poignant granite war memorial cross in the Celtic style.

Group value:

* with 31 and 32 Chapel Lane (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 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 Belstead as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 15 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled in November 1920 by Major Eustace Quilter. The names of three local servicemen who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Details

The memorial stands in a prominent position at a road junction, close to 31 and 32 Chapel Lane (Grade II- listed). It comprises a plain wheel-head cross with a tapering shaft, standing on a tapering plinth and single-stepped base. The memorial is carved from grey Cornish granite and stands approximately 2.7m tall.

The main inscription in raised leaded lettering on the front face of the plinth reads IN HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914–1918/ (15 NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.

A further inscription in leaded lettering within a smooth recessed area to the east face of the plinth reads ALSO OF THOSE/ WHO FELL IN THE/ SECOND GREAT WAR/ 1939–1945/ (3 NAMES).

Sources

Websites
Roll of Honour - Belstead, Suffolk, accessed 6 July 2017 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/Belstead.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 6 July 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/118313/
War Memorials Register, accessed 6 July 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/4383

Legal

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