Long Stratton War Memorial

Overview

Location

Summary

War memorial, erected in 1920.

Reasons for Designation

Long Stratton War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* as a war memorial cross with a well-realised and accomplished design using good quality stonework.

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.

Group value

* with several listed buildings including the Church of St Mary (Grade I), Long Stratton Church School (Grade II) and Griffin Cottage (Grade II).

History

The great age of memorial building was in the aftermath of the First World War which 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. The memorials, therefore, provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

Long Stratton War Memorial, situated to the front (east) of the village hall and opposite the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade I), was erected to commemorate 26 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Designed by Mr Dunham and built by Mr AW Perfitt the memorial was unveiled on 10 November 1920 by Mrs Owen and dedicated by the Rector of Swanton Morley, the Reverend GD Barry.

The names of five parishioners who died during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Details

War memorial, erected in 1920.

MATERIALS: carved from stone, with lead lettering inscriptions.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a two-stepped stone base, surmounted by a polished granite pedestal, rising to the tapered rectangular shaft and cross. The dado of the pedestal has recessed panels to each side. The south and north panel incorporate a wreath and the year 1914 and 1919, respectively, carved in relief. The panel to the east gives the names of the 26 men of the parish who died during the First World War. Beneath has been added ‘1939-1945’ and the names of the five men who died during the Second World War. The west panel is blind. Around the top of the pedestal is the inscription:

THESE DIED / FOR GOD / KING AND / COUNTRY

To the east and west side of the memorial is a stone vase, and the whole stands on a brick platform with brick copings and flagstones.

Sources

Websites
Long Stratton War Memorial, accessed 19 November 2019 from http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/LongStratton.html
War Memorials Online - Long Stratton Village Hall Cross, accessed 19 November 2019 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/177537
War Memorials Register - Imperial War Museum - Long Stratton - WW1 and WW2, accessed 19 November 2019 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/56496
Other
'Long Stratton War Memorial’, Diss Express, Friday 12 November 1920 , p5

Legal

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