Wacton War Memorial

Wacton War Memorial, All Saints Churchyard, Church Road, Wacton Magna, Norfolk, NR15 2UG

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Overview

A First World War memorial in the form of an obelisk, standing in the churchyard of All Saints Church. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1454116
Date first listed:: 15-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Wacton War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Wacton War Memorial, All Saints Churchyard, Church Road, Wacton Magna, Norfolk, NR15 2UG

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1454116
Date first listed:: 15-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Wacton War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Wacton War Memorial, All Saints Churchyard, Church Road, Wacton Magna, Norfolk, NR15 2UG

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:: Wacton War Memorial, All Saints Churchyard, Church Road, Wacton Magna, Norfolk, NR15 2UG

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

County:: Norfolk
District:: South Norfolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Wacton
National Grid Reference:: TM1796091771

Summary

A First World War memorial in the form of an obelisk, standing in the churchyard of All Saints Church.

Reasons for Designation

Wacton War Memorial standing in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Wacton, in Norfolk 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 sacrifices made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as a simple but well-executed design in the form of an obelisk, executed in marble

Group value:

* with the Church of All Saints (Grade I) and Wacton House (Grade II).

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the single biggest wave of public commemoration ever experienced in England, with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country, both as a result of the huge impact of the loss of three quarters of a million lives had on communities throughout the nation, 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.

One such memorial was erected within the churchyard of All Saints Church at Wacton around 1920 to commemorate the ten servicemen from the village who lost their lives in the conflict.

Details

War Memorial commemorating the fallen of the First World War, erected around 1920, prominently sited within the churchyard to the north of All Saints Church. It is executed in marble and takes the form of an obelisk, set on a two-tiered plinth within a square enclosure defined by low marble posts, linked by chains. The upper edge of the plinth's top tier is moulded, whilst that to the lower tier carries a simple chamfer. To the front of the enclosure, set either side of the approach to the memorial are two small urns.

The upper tier bears the names of the fallen in leaded lettering. These are replicated within the church on a hand-written wall-hung Roll of Honour.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Elsewhere., accessed 24/01/2018. from www.ww1-yorkshires.org.uk/html-files/wacton.htm

Legal

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