Martham War Memorial, Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin

First World War memorial, erected c1920, with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: of Portland stone.

PLAN: it is octagonal on plan.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial stands in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, c20m to the south of the south porch, and faces south-west towards Black Street. It comprises an octagonal concrete plinth, a three-step octagonal base and a square pedestal with inset plaques. A tall shaft, with pyramidal stops, rises and tapers in octagonal section from a moulded and square base to a shallow cushion capital supporting a small, square pedestal inscribed with the christogram 'IHS' in relief. Set upon this small pedestal is a wheel-head cross with octagonal arms and terminal stops. The First World War dedicatory inscription is inscribed on the south-east face of the main pedestal and reads: 'TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ THE GIVER OF VICTORY/ AND/ IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1919'. Plaques on the remaining three sides are inscribed with the names of the 41 war dead. The top step of the base is inscribed 'AND IN THE WORLD WAR / 1939 - 1945' with the names of the 10 men who died during this conflict inscribed on the middle step.