Scarning War Memorial Cross

The Portland stone memorial cross stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Grade I-listed). It is prominently situated by the churchyard path in front of the church’s south porch. It comprises an approximately 3m tall wheel-head cross with interlace carving and decorated hemispherical bosses ornamenting the cross-head. The cross rises from a small tapering pedestal that stands on a three-stepped base, square on plan.

The commemorated First World War names, incised and painted black, are listed on the front face of the cross shaft. The principal dedicatory inscription to the front face of the pedestal reads TO THE GLORY OF ALMIGHTY GOD/ AND IN UNDYING MEMORY OF/ OUR BELOVED LADS FROM THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR. The dates 1914 - 1919 are recorded on the step below. An inscription on the riser of the middle step reads ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD/ AND MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM.

The later dedication recorded on the south face of the pedestal reads ALSO IN MEMORY OF/ (2 NAMES). The dates 1939 – 1945 are recorded on the step below.