Bridgham War Memorial

Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, The Street, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RY

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Overview

First World War memorial, approximately 1920, with 1947 Palestine addition. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1456189
Date first listed:: 08-Aug-2018
List Entry Name:: Bridgham War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, The Street, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RY

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1456189
Date first listed:: 08-Aug-2018
List Entry Name:: Bridgham War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, The Street, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RY

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:: Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, The Street, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RY

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

County:: Norfolk
District:: Breckland (District Authority)
Parish:: Bridgham
National Grid Reference:: TL9576885836

Summary

First World War memorial, approximately 1920, with 1947 Palestine addition.

Reasons for Designation

Bridgham 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 this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* a simple but well-executed granite cross.

Group value:

* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Mary and the Grade II-listed Rectory.

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 Bridgham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Bridgham War Memorial, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. It represents the fallen of Bridgham and Roudham. The memorial was presumably erected around 1920. The memorial commemorates 19 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and one man who fell in Palestine in 1947.

The memorial was renovated in 1936. The names were raised in lead, and gilt, and a service of rededication was held on Sunday 4 October 1936.

Details

First World War memorial, approximately 1920.

MATERIALS: grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Bridgham War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary, The Street, Bridgham, Norfolk. It is prominently situated by the churchyard path, just to the side of the porch. It comprises a polished grey granite Latin cross upon a three-tiered plinth and simple square base.

The faces of the plinth bear the First World War inscription and names in leaded lettering. The inscription reads IN GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE/ MEN WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES).

Another face of the plinth bears the inscription PALESTINE 1947/ (NAME).

Sources

Websites
Breckland Roll of Honour, accessed 2 April 2018 from http://www.breckland-rollofhonour.org.uk/bridgham.html
War Memorials Online, accessed 2 April 2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/137299/
Other
Thetford & Watton Times and People's Weekly Journal, Saturday 10 October 1936, p. 7

Legal

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