NHER 63949 (Structure record) - World War One memorial with World War Two additions, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen

World War One Memorial with World War Two Additions
Location: St Mary Magdalen Churchyard, Church Road, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen.
Type: Cross
Description:
The memorial is constructed from smooth grey granite, in the form of a freestanding plain cross. It is used to commemorate twenty-five local servicemen who died in World War One, and latterly nine men who died in World War Two. It is described “with a sword of sacrifice carved in relief to the front face, on a tapering plinth with rounded cap, and marble block base atop a concrete foundation” set within a kerbed enclosure (S1). There are inscriptions in leaded lettering. The former World War One dedication is to the east face of the plinth (Inscription A), along with twenty-five associated names distributed across the south and north faces. Further inscriptions can be found to the west face of the plinth (Inscription B) and to the east face of the base (Inscription C). The latter World War Two dedication is to the south face of the base, along with nine associated names (Inscription D; the position of all inscriptions identified from S4 photographs).
Proposed: Date unknown.
Designed by: Unknown.
Constructed/Sculpted By: Unknown.
Cost: Unknown.
Unveiled: Assumed planned and erected around 1920, when the majority of Norfolk’s war memorials were commissioned. Additional research required.
Inscription A: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF THE MEN FROM THIS PARISH / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1919 / "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE" / THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THE / PARISHIONERS OF MAGDALEN
Inscription B: "THESE DIED IN WAR / THAT WE AT PEACE MIGHT LIVE / THESE GAVE THEIR BEST / SO WE OUR BEST SHOULD GIVE, / NOT FOR THEMSELVES - / FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM, RIGHT/ THEY FOUGHT, AND BID US / FORWARD TO THE FIGHT”
Inscription C: “LEST WE FORGET”
Inscription D: 1939 – 1945 / (NAMES).
Information from Listing Description (S1) and Historic England Advice Report (S2).
See War Memorials On-line (S4) for images and the War Memorials Register (S5) for images, names and additional details.
P. Beers (HES), 18 February 2021. A. Henderson (HES), 20 January 2025.

August 2018. Listed. Grade II.
See Listing Description (S1), Advice Report (S2) and Consultation Report (S3) for details.
See also War Memorials On-line (S4) and War Memorials Register (S5).
P. Beers (HES), 18 February 2021.