Downham Market War Memorial

The Downham Market War Memorial is a First World War memorial built in 1921, with additions for the Second World War. It is situated at the junction of London Road and Church Road, surrounded by a semi-circular landscaped area. Nearby, to the west, is The Priory, which is also a Grade II-listed building.

The memorial is constructed from Clipsham stone and features a tall, lantern cross topped with a crocketed pinnacle. The lantern head is intricately carved, with square columns at each corner and lancet niches on each face, showcasing cusped tracery. The north and south niches are open, revealing a Latin cross inside the lantern, while the east and west niches are blind and display painted shields. The lantern is set atop an octagonal shaft that has a square base with inverted chamfered stops. This shaft rises from a four-sided plinth with moulded upper corners, to which later stone plaques have been added on each face. The plinth is elevated on a three-stepped base, featuring small square posts at each corner of the middle and lower steps.

The main inscription is located on the plaque on the south face of the plinth, which reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN/ GRATEFUL AND LASTING REMEMBRANCE/ OF OUR BRAVE FELLOW TOWNSMEN/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918." The names of 74 individuals who died in the First World War are listed on the other three plaques affixed to the plinth.

Additionally, the names of those who died in the Second World War are inscribed on a plaque on the south face of the upper step of the base, which reads: "WORLD WAR 1939-1945/ (24 NAMES)." All lettering on the memorial is incised and painted black.