Summary
First World War memorial, approximately 1920, with Second World War additions.
Description
First World War memorial, approximately 1920.
MATERIALS: Portland stone; Snettisham carrstone.
DESCRIPTION: Snettisham War Memorial is located at the roadside along the Lynn Road (B1440), where there is a triangular junction of Lynn Road, Hall Road and Old Church Road, Snettisham, Norfolk. It comprises a Portland stone Celtic wheel-head cross atop a wide, tapering shaft, beneath which is a tall plinth with deeply corniced upper section and moulded foot. Beneath this is a three-tiered base of carrstone blocks and brick. The whole is enclosed by metal railings. The plinth bears the inscriptions and names in incised lettering.
The inscription reads THIS/ MONUMENT WAS ERECTED/ BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTIONS/ IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WARS/ 1914 – 1918/ AND/ 1939 – 1945// (NAMES).
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 Snettisham as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Snettisham War Memorial was presumably erected around 1920. It was placed prominently in the heart of the town, on the old high street. The memorial commemorates 44 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 15 men who fell in the Second World War. It was paid for by public subscription.
A First World War name was added in 2014, the lower step of the base replaced and the enclosure repaved, following which the memorial was rededicated.
Reasons for Listing
Snettisham War Memorial, which is situated at the roadside along the Lynn Road (B1440) 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 unusual yet dignified Celtic cross.
Group value:
* with several Grade II-listed buildings on Hall Road, Lynn Road and School Road.
External Links
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
Recommended Books
Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)