South Lopham War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: South Lopham War Memorial is located on a triangular green at the junction of The Street (A1066) with Church Road. It is in close proximity to several Grade II-listed buildings including Nos 1-2 The Street, Nos 4-5 The Street, and the White Horse public house.

The memorial is of Portland stone and takes the form of a cross fleurée on a tapering, octagonal shaft with a moulded collar. The shaft foot, square on plan, is ornamented with small foliage carvings at the corners and a moulded base.

The cross rises from a four-sided capped and corniced pedestal. Foliage designs are carved in low relief on the sloping surfaces of the cap. The pedestal stands on a two-stepped base. A rifle is carved in low relief on the chamfered edge of the bottom step, to the south-east side.

Each face of the pedestal bears rectangular stone panels with concave corners. Above the panel to the south-east face are relief carvings of a small laurel wreath between crossed and painted Union Flags. Within that panel is the principal inscription and names in incised lettering, painted black, which reads IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF SOUTH LOPHAM/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918./ (NAMES). Directly below, within a recessed panel on the upper-step of the base, are the words THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.

The Second World War dedication was added to the panel on the south-west face, also in incised lettering, painted black, reading IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF SOUTH LOPHAM/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY IN THE/ WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES).

The whole stands within a square gravelled area enclosed by eight stone posts carrying a spiked chain.