West Dereham War Memorial

First World War memorial. Erected between 1919 and 1939. Architect unknown.

MATERIALS: carved in granite.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial in West Dereham comprises a Celtic cross, with a longsword carved in relief (point downwards), on top of a low, rough-hewn plinth. The plinth sits on one granite step, itself set on one step of granite setts. The memorial sits within an enclosure formed of a low iron railing set into four granite corner posts. The entire enclosure sits on a platform of granite setts and concrete.

The base of the cross is inscribed in leaded letters GREAT WAR. / 1914 – 1919. / SACRED / TO THE MEMORY / OF THE / GALLANT FALLEN / FROM THIS PARISH. The plinth below is inscribed with the names of the Fallen, in two columns separated by a cross. A polished granite slab inscribed 1939 – 1945 / NAMES commemorates the Fallen in the Second World War. The granite slab appears to rest against the rest of the monument.