Unknown Soldier
Location: Church of St Mary the Virgin
Town/village: Norton Sub Hamdon
County: Somerset
Postcode: TA14 6SU
Details on cross:
A – 15
(printed on diagonal tag top of the main shaft.)
Unknown British Soldier
(on metal GRU tag)
Cross dimensions Unable to measure, but appears to be standard GRU/British Army cross.
Other information
Mounting to wall: None. Free standing. Cross is located in the corner of the west tower entrance on top of a wooden cupboard.
Detailing: No detailing or decoration. Plain wooden grave marker.
Evidence of use in field: Evidence of what appears to be soil on the bottom of the main shaft but unable to confirm.
Surface insertion depth: Could not confirm.
Finish: Varnished timber.
Condition: In generally good condition no particular damage to the timber.
Other Information:
Why this cross to an Unknown British Soldier is in the Church is unclear, however a number of the men commemorated on the Roll of Honour have no known grave so perhaps the cross is a form of memorial to them? The cross is almost identical to the cross at Long Sutton St Marys, Lincolnshire, also to an Unknown British Soldier. http://thereturned.co.uk/crosses/long-sutton-st-marys-lincolnshire/
Within the Church there is a four light stained glass window commemorating seven members of the parish who died in WWI. The window depicts St George and St Michael as well as the badges of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and Somerset Light Infantry, Wiltshire Regiment and Somerset Yeomanry. A wall-mounted, framed and glazed roll of honour commemorates 10 members of the parish who died in WWI.
Information of the men commemorated at the following link:- http://www.theygavetheirtoday.com/norton-sub-hamdon.html
Survey and photographs courtesy of Dan Raymond
Date of survey: 30th July 2016