Summary
First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions.
Reasons for Designation
Southrepps War Memorial, which is situated in St James 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 a finely detailed and well-executed Clipsham stone cross with accomplished lettering;
* as an example of a war memorial that incorporates a locally-distinctive building material, flint.
Group value:
* with the Grade I-listed Church of St James, the Grade II*-listed Beechlands Farmhouse, Grade II-listed Church Farmhouse and the Grade II-listed Church Farm Cottage.
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 Southrepps as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Southrepps, like many Norfolk war memorials, was situated within the churchyard. The memorial commemorates 23 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and three men who fell in the Second World War. It was made by Herbert Palmer of Sheringham, on a foundation laid by Messrs Turner, Reynolds, Seeley and Bloom. Palmer also made Sheringham war memorial, also of Clipsham stone.
The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 3 July, 1921 by the Rector-elect, the Reverend Humphrey Barclay MC, and dedicated by the Reverend Sir Frederick Sullivan, Bart., the retiring Rector of the parish.
Details
First World War memorial, 1921.
MATERIALS: Clipsham stone; flint
DESCRIPTION: Southrepps War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St James Church, Clipped Hedge Lane, Southrepps, Norfolk. It is prominently situated in the south of the churchyard, near to its edge and facing the road. It comprises a Latin cross on a tapering shaft, two-tiered plinth and two-stepped base. The cross has a pyramidal cap. The front of the cross and shaft bears a Sword of Sacrifice carved in relief. The top tier of the plinth has a slightly sloping cap and chamfered corners. The bottom tier is deeper and has a moulded rim, and chamfered corners where flint is inserted in vertical strips. The stepped base has flint inserted in horizontal strips.
The inscription is carved in relief and reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO KEEP/ IN MEMORY THE MEN OF SOUTHREPPS/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).
