NHER 64753 (Structure record) - World War One memorial with World War Two additions, Forncett

World War One Memorial with World War Two Additions
Location: Outside St Mary's Churchyard, Low Road, Forncett St Mary.
Description:
The memorial is constructed from stone (S2), in the form of a freestanding cross bottonée. It is used to commemorate eight local servicemen who died in World War One, and three local servicemen who died in World War Two. It is described with gothic details “on a tall, tapering octagonal shaft with moulded collar featuring foliate carvings and terminating in a square foot with inverted chamfered stops. The shaft rises from a hexagonal plinth with buttresses to the corner edges; it is surmounted by a crenellated cap above a moulded cornice and stands on a moulded foot. The plinth surmounts a two-stepped hexagonal base, atop a hexagonal platform with moulded cornice” (S1). There are inscriptions to the west face of the plinth in incised lettering, painted black. The former World War One dedication starts to an inset, arched fielded panel (Inscription A). The eight associated names are listed in two columns (S5 photographs) to an inset panel on the upper step of the base, along with the dedication ending beneath (Inscription B). The latter World War Two dates are to a recessed panel on the lower step of the base, along with three associated names (Inscription C).
Proposed: Date unknown.
Constructed/Sculpted By: Designed by architect T. Rayson and executed by mason A. Perfitt of Diss.
Unveiled: 18 November 1921 (by Major Bruce of the Norfolk Regiment and dedicated by Archdeacon Buckland).
Inscription A: TO THE/ GLORY OF GOD/ AND TO COMMEMORATE/ THE VALOUR OF THE/ MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ AND OF ALL THOSE WHO/ FREELY OFFERED THEM/ IN DEFENCE OF RIGHT/ AND IN THE SERVICE OF/ THEIR KING AND COUNTRY/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918.
Inscription B: (8 NAMES)/ RIP/ “BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I WILL/ GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.”
Inscription C: 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES).
Information from Listing Description (S1) and Historic England Advice Report (S2).
See War Memorials On-line (S4) for images, the Roll of Honour (S5) and community website (S6) for images, names and additional details, and journal article (S7) for details on the architect.
P. Beers (HES), 15 December 2021.

February 2018. Listed. Grade II.
See Listing Description (S1), Advice Report (S2) and Consultation Report (S3) for details.
See also War Memorials On-line (S4).
P. Beers (HES), 15 December 2021.