Great Massingham War Memorial

The Great Massingham War Memorial is a First World War memorial built in 1920, with additions for the Second World War. It is situated to the west of the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary, within the churchyard and next to the main path leading to the church.

Constructed from Portland stone, the memorial features a cross bottonée, which is a Greek cross with each arm ending in a trefoil. This cross is set atop an octagonal shaft that has a molded collar resembling a crown, complete with trefoil finials. The shaft stands on a square base that rises from a square plinth, which has a molded, tiered cap and a chamfered foot, all resting on a tapering stone block.

The plinth's faces display inscriptions and names in incised lettering, painted black. The main inscription is on the west face and reads: "THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918/ LET US REMEMBER IN LOVE AND/ GRATITUDE THESE OUR BROTHERS/ WHO DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE/ AND LET US SEEK TO WALK WORTHY/ OF THEIR SACRIFICE." The names of the 21 individuals who died are listed on the north and south faces, while the east face bears the inscription: "IF YE SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS/ SAKE HAPPY ARE YE" 1 ST PETER III 14.

On the south face of the base of the shaft, the dates of the Second World War, 1939 – 1945, are inscribed along with the name of the single casualty.

The memorial is surrounded by eight decorative metal posts designed with a barley twist pattern and finials, all painted black and connected by chains.