Wreningham War Memorial

c15m south-west of All Saints Church, The churchyard, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH

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Overview

First World War memorial cross, 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:: 1456175
Date first listed:: 24-Jul-2018
List Entry Name:: Wreningham War Memorial
Statutory Address:: c15m south-west of All Saints Church, The churchyard, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1456175
Date first listed:: 24-Jul-2018
List Entry Name:: Wreningham War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: c15m south-west of All Saints Church, The churchyard, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH

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:: c15m south-west of All Saints Church, The churchyard, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH

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

County:: Norfolk
District:: South Norfolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Wreningham
National Grid Reference:: TM1631198799

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

Wreningham 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 simple yet poignant memorial cross incorporating knapped flint-work with freestone.

Group value:

* with the Church of All Saints (Grade I-listed).

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 Wreningham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 11 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. At least one name, and possibly two, was added in the later 1920s. Following the Second World War the names of five men who died in that conflict were added to the memorial.

Details

The limestone war memorial cross stands on the southern edge of the churchyard of the Church of All Saints (Grade I-listed). It comprises a Latin cross-head on a collared cross shaft, octagonal in section. The shaft rises from a two-stage plinth, square on plan, that stands on a large base. The lower stage of the plinth is formed of limestone ashlar, with knapped facing flints visible on three sides. The base is formed of flint cobbles with a stone cap.

The principal dedicatory inscription is recorded on the front face of the shouldered upper stage of the plinth. It reads REMEMBER/ THOSE/ WHO DIED/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY/ 1914 1919. The commemorated First World War names are listed on the other faces. The Second World War dedication, to the front face of the lower stage of the plinth, reads 1939 1945/ (NAMES).

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 9 April 2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/132988/
Other
‘Memorial Tablets: Novel Point in Wreningham Church Project’, Thetford & Watton Times and People's Weekly Journal, 9 March 1929, p6

Legal

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