NHER 64758 (Structure record) - World War One memorial with World War Two additions, Sprowston

World War One Memorial with World War Two Additions
Location: St Cuthbert's Church, Wroxham Road, Sprowston.
Description:
This memorial was formerly a temporary wooden structure to commemorate those who died in World War One, which was later replaced by a cross on a stone pylon, to which there was a bronze plaque. These earlier memorials have been replaced, and the present structure is constructed from brick, with stone and flint, in the form of a freestanding L-shaped, asymmetrically curved wall. It is used to commemorate eighty-two servicemen who died in World War One, and forty-eight servicemen who died in World War Two. It is described as “formed of rubble stone, brick, tile and flint standing on a red brick plinth. The main section of wall on the left-hand side has a curved eyebrow-like upper section, into which are set three brick-framed panels with cast bronze plaques. The wall has tile creasing at its head, supporting half-round red clay copings… On the right-hand side of the memorial is a built-in seat, clasped by a low return section of the wall to its right” (S1). There are inscriptions to the bronze plaques, and to each side of the array terracotta crosses are set into the wall. The former World War One dedication is to the centrally located tall plaque, along with the eighty-two associated names listed in two columns (Inscription A). The latter World War Two dates are to two flanking shorter plaques, along with forty-eight associated names, listed twenty-four a piece (Inscription B and C). There is also epitaph inscribed to a stone panel at the base, below the names (Inscription D; S4).
Proposed: Date Unknown
Constructed/Sculpted By: Unknown.
Unveiled: Historic England considers the former wooden structure possibly stood in 1919, to be subsequently replaced by cross erected on 02 October 1938 (by the Royal British Legion). The present structure, the Listing dates to the 1970’s, possibly 1979 when the centre was completed at St Cuthbert’s church (NHER13441).
Inscription A: 1914-1918/ MEN/ OF/ SPROWSTON/ (82 NAMES).
Inscription B and C: 1939-1945/ (24 NAMES).
Inscription D: WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Information from Listing Description (S1) and Historic England Advice Report (S2).
See War Memorials On-line (S4) for images.
P. Beers (HES), 24 December 2021.

May 2018. Listed. Grade II.
See Listing Description (S1) and Consultation Report (S2) for details.
See also War Memorials On-line (S4).
P. Beers (HES), 24 December 2021.