NHER 64722 (Structure record) - World War One memorial with World War Two additions, Downham Market

World War One Memorial with World War Two Additions
Location: Junction of London Road and Church Road, Downham Market.
Type: Lantern Cross
Description:
The memorial is constructed from Clipsham stone, in the form of a tall freestanding lantern cross. It is used to commemorate seventy-three local servicemen who died in World War One, and latterly twenty-three men (S5), and one woman who died in World War Two. The lantern head is with elaborate carvings and “surmounted by a crocketed pinnacle” (S1). It is described as situated on “an octagonal shaft with a square base and inverted chamfered stops… from a four-sided plinth with moulded upper corners; later stone plaques have been affixed to each face of the plinth. The plinth surmounts a three-stepped base with small square posts to each corner of the middle and lower steps” (S1). There are inscriptions in incised lettering, painted black. The former World War One dedication is to the plaque on the south face (Inscription A), with seventy-three associated names to the plaques on the remaining three faces. The latter World War Two dates are to an additional plaque on the upper step of the base, facing south, along with twenty-four associated names (Inscription B).
Proposed: Date unknown.
Designed by: Unknown.
Constructed/Sculpted By: Local stonemason H. J. Long.
Cost: Paid for by public subscription.
Unveiled: 21 October 1921.
Inscription A: TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN/ GRATEFUL AND LASTING REMEMBRANCE/ OF OUR BRAVE FELLOW TOWNSMEN/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918.
Inscription B: WORLD WAR 1939-1945/ (24 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), Roll of Honour (S6), and websites (S7) and (S8) for images, names and additional details.
P. Beers (HES), 31 March 2021. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 21 January 2025.

2005?-2018? Addition.
After 2005 a further name was added to the plaque on the south face of the plinth, for a woman serving in the Women’s Royal Air Force who died of influenza during World War One but was originally omitted.
Information from Listing Description (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for name and details.
See also website (S7) for details of the deceased and 1918-1919 influenza pandemic.
P. Beers (HES), 31 March 2021.
 
2008. Restoration.
Following grant funding from the War Memorials Trust the memorial was restored and access improved.
Information from Listing Description (S1).
See also War Memorials Trust (S9) for details on restoration.
P. Beers (HES), 31 March 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) and War Memorials Register (S5).
P. Beers (HES), 31 March 2021.