War Memorial, Gorleston Old Cemetery

War Memorial, Gorleston Old Cemetery

This war memorial was built in the early 20th century and stands at the east end of Gorleston Old Cemetery, which was laid out in 1879 at the junction of Magdalen Way and Crab Lane on the northern side of the town.

The memorial takes the form of a faceted stone Cross of Sacrifice with a bronze sword inlaid into its face. It is constructed of limestone with knapped flint facings. The memorial sits on a plain octagonal plinth with two tiers. The lower tier is inlaid with square-cut, knapped flint on each of its eight faces. A dressed stone, octagonal base above carries the inscription dedicated to those who were killed in the First World War. Stone paving surrounds the base of the memorial, with access gained via a single stone step.

The cemetery itself was designed by JW Cockrill (1849–1924), the borough architect between 1874 and 1922. The main distinguishing features of the cemetery are the lodge with attached archway and gatehouse at the entrance and the chapel built in 1889, both also designed by Cockrill.

Gorleston developed as a separate settlement from Great Yarmouth until the late 19th century, when it grew as a resort to the south of Great Yarmouth, with the two towns eventually becoming co-joined. The historic core of Gorleston had centred at the junction of High Street and Baker Street, with an Austin Friars house to the north. Originally a fishing village, Gorleston saw farming and brewing grow in importance during the 19th century.