NHER 64721 (Structure record) - World War One memorial with World War Two additions, Dersingham

World War One Memorial with World War Two Additions
Location: Dersingham Recreation Ground, Station Road, Dersingham.
Type: Obelisk
Description:
The memorial is constructed from stone, in the form of a freestanding obelisk. It is used to commemorate two hundred and ninety-eight members of the local community who served in World War One, forty-eight of which died. Latterly it also commemorates nineteen men who died in World War Two. It is described as “raised on a tall, rusticated, pier, square on plan. A stone wing projects from each of the two front-facing corners of the pier, whilst the base of the pier is stepped. The wings each support a sculpted recumbent lion” (S1). The whole monument is enclosed by metal railings, and there are inscriptions to panels on the pier. The former World War One dedication starts to the front face (upper panel), divided by a low relief carving of a coat of arms encircled by a wreath at the top, and continues below along with forty-eight associated names listed in two columns (Inscription A). The associated inscriptions continue, with a hundred and twenty-eight names to the left face for overseas service (Inscription B), and seventy-eight names also for overseas service along with a further forty-four names for home service to the right face (Inscription C). The World War One dedication ends to the rear (Inscription D). The latter World War Two dedication is to the front face (lower panel) along with nineteen associated names.
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. Terminus ante quem 1923 when the Parish Council took responsibility for the memorial. Additional research required.
Inscription A: FOR GOD/ AND/ HUMANITY and FOR KING/ AND/ COUNTRY// R.I.P/ (48 NAMES).
Inscription B: ROLL OF HONOUR/ OVERSEA SERVICE/ (128 NAMES).
Inscription C: ROLL OF HONOUR/ OVERSEA SERVICE/ (78 NAMES)/ HOME SERVICE/ (44 NAMES).
Inscription D: THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED/ BY THE/ PEOPLE OF DERSINGHAM/ IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THOSE WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ AND ALL/ WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919.
Inscription E: 1939 -1945/ (19 NAMES).
Information from Listing Description (S1) and Historic England Advice Report (S2).
See War Memorials On-line (S4) for images, the War Memorials Register (S5) for images, names and additional details, and 1923 newspaper article (S6).
P. Beers (HES), 26 March 2021. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 21 January 2025.

2008. Restoration.
It is likely that as part of this work the inscription panels on the pier were renovated from light stone panels (S5, photograph) with the current polished dark granite panels.
Information from Listing Description (S1) and Historic England Advice Report (S2).
See also War Memorials On-line (S4) and the War Memorials Register (S5).
P. Beers (HES), 26 March 2021.

January 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), 26 March 2021.