Overstrand War Memorial

Churchyard of the Church of St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0NT

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Overview

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1456642
Date first listed:: 04-Jun-2018
List Entry Name:: Overstrand War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Churchyard of the Church of St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0NT

User submitted image — Uploaded by Brenda Stibbons This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1456642
Date first listed:: 04-Jun-2018
List Entry Name:: Overstrand War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Churchyard of the Church of St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0NT

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 Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0NT

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

County:: Norfolk
District:: North Norfolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Overstrand
National Grid Reference:: TG2404740749

Summary

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

Reasons for Designation

Overstrand War Memorial, which is situated in St Martin’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:

* as an elegant slender cross executed skilfully in good quality stone.

Group value:

* with the Grade II*-listed Church of St Martin and the Grade II-listed Overstrand Hall.

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

Overstrand, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday 23 May 1920. It was unveiled by Lord Hillingdon and dedicated by the Rector, the Reverend L C Carr. The memorial commemorates 40 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 12 men who fell in the Second World War.

Details

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: Clipsham stone.

DESCRIPTION: Overstrand War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the south side of the churchyard, inside one of the churchyard entrances. It comprises a 5m tall Clipsham stone wheel-head cross, pierced and cusped, atop a slender octagonal shaft with moulded collar and foot, surmounting a pentagonal plinth and three-stepped base.

The inscription is carved in relief and reads TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND TO KEEP/ IN REMEMBRANCE THE/ MEN OF OVERSTRAND/ WHO GAVE THIER LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919// GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY/ DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.// (NAMES)// 1939 – 1945// (NAMES).

Sources

None.

Legal

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