Surfleet War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, erected in 1921 in the form of a freestanding stone cross memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Surfleet War Memorial 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 community and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as an elegantly-designed and well-executed memorial which survives well.

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, as a result both of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities, and of 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.

Surfleet War Memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 8 May 1921 in the presence of several hundred people from Surfleet, Spalding, and the surrounding district. A short service in the St Lawrence’s Church took place at three o’clock, and the choir and clergy led a procession from the church before Mr Welby-Everard of Gosherton unveiled the memorial and Rev. H. Law James dedicated it.

The Memorial Committee at the time consisted of: Rev. H. Law James (chairman), Messrs J Fielding, J. Richardson, C W Bealby, W Sewell, W Howes, W F Burrell, G T Brittain, W D Jackson, and G. Hobbs (hon Secretary). The total cost of the memorial was recorded in 1921 at £209 17s, with the fees made up of £190 15s on the memorial itself, £16 2s on architect’s fees, and £3 on fencing.

The memorial stands on a square plot of land, given by Mrs Alfred Smith, adjoining the pavement and church grounds. The memorial was erected by Messrs Bowman and the Sons of Grantham, honouring the fallen of the First World War. The original design was the work of Wilfred Bond of Stamford, and the keeping of the memorial was the responsibility of the Parish Committee, with landscaping carried out by the vicars gardener.

In 1930, Surfleet War Memorial was blown down by a gale in the night of 12 January. Certain stonework was reported broken by the Louth Standard, including the crucifix, which was smashed.

At some point, likely after the Second World War, the calvary top was replaced by a Latin cross.

Details

First World War memorial, erected in 1921 in the form of a freestanding stone cross memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: built of Lincolnshire Clipsham limestone on the lines of the Medieval Wayside Calvary and features slate panels on which the writing is incised.

PLAN: the memorial stands at about 17ft in height. It features a two-foot square pillar base, which is mounted on three steps. The base is surmounted by an octagonal hollow chambered shaft, which is topped by an embattled capital, on which stands a cross. The cross measures about 5100mm in height, 1140mm in width, and 1140mm in depth.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located near the north west corner of St Lawrence’s Churchyard. The base features two slate tablets, the front one bearing the inscription: ‘PARISHIONERS OF SURFLEET WHO/ FELL IN THE WAR 1914-1918/ NAMES’

To the side of the base is a second, smaller, slate tablet, featuring the inscription: ‘TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN MEMORY OF THE / MEN WHO FELL IN THE WAR / 1939 1945 / NAMES.’

Sources

Websites
Lincolnshire Heritage Explorer, accessed 06/05/2022 from https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI125314
War Memorials Online, accessed 06/05/2022 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/263058/
Imperial War Museum, accessed 06/05/2022 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/20454

End of official list entry

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