Outwell War Memorial

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Outwell War Memorial, which stands in the 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 striking memorial cross in granite with a strong visual association with the parish church to the rear.

Group value:

* with the Church of St Clement (Grade I-listed) and the Grade II-listed Table Tomb in the South-West corner of St Clement's churchyard.

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 Outwell as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 35 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. Following the Second World War the names of 12 men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.

Details

The memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Clement (Grade I-listed), prominently situated at the entrance from the main road and aligned with the church's south porch. It comprises a polished granite Latin cross standing on a tall, rough-hewn granite pillar. The pillar is raised on a two-stepped base and surrounded by low, sloping granite blocks with polished upper surfaces, all bounded by eight low granite posts connected by chains.

The front face of the pillar carries a large cast bronze plaque on which the commemorated First World War names are listed, followed by the dedication “THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”. Incorporated in the casting at the top of the plaque are four draped flags and a crown. Below the main plaque, an additional cast bronze plaque records the Second World War names. All bar one of the names are listed with the serviceman’s regiment or Service and date of death.

The rear of the pillar carries two bronze plaques recording the principal dedicatory inscriptions. The first reads TO THE GLORY/ OF GOD/ AND IN HONOURED/ MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF THIS PARISH WHO/ FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918 whilst the second reads 1939 – 1945.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 10 January 2018 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/53459
War Memorials Online, accessed 10 January 2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/197886/

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