Croxton, Norfolk


Croxton is a village and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is located north of Thetford and south-east of Norwich.

History

Croxton's name is of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Viking origin deriving from an amalgamation of the Old English and Old Norse for 'Krokr's' farmstead or settlement.
In the Domesday Book, Croxton is recorded as a settlement of 21 households in the hundred of Grimshoe. In 1086, the village was part of the estate of King William I.
During the Second World War, numerous pillboxes were built throughout the parish to defend against a possible German invasion.

Geography

According to the 2021 census, Croxton has a population of 636 people, an increase from the 445 people recorded in the 2011 census.
The A11, between London and Norwich, and the A1075, between Thetford and Dereham, both run through the parish.

All Saints' Church

The parish church of All Saints dates from the 12th century and is one of Norfolk's 124 remaining round-tower churches. It is located on The Street and has been Grade I listed since 1958.
All Saints' was extensively re-modelled and restored in the 19th century and includes a notable carved 15th century font.

Governance

Croxton is part of the electoral ward of Forest for local elections and is part of the district of Breckland.
The village's national constituency is South West Norfolk which has been represented by Labour's Terry Jermy MP since 2024.

War Memorial

Croxton War Memorial is an elaborate wooden screen with an accompanying mural. The memorial lists the following names for the First World War:
RankNameUnitDate of deathBurial
Capt.Duncan C. Graham7th Bn., Norfolk Regiment28 Apr. 1917Arras Memorial
2Lt.Richard G. T. MeadeMachine Gun Corps10 Oct. 1917North Gate Cemetery
Cpl.Harry J. Williams12th Royal Lancers15 Apr. 1917Duisans Cemetery
LCpl.Douglas G. Bell10th Bn., Yorkshire Regiment4 Oct. 1917Tyne Cot
Pte.Alfred C. Vincent3rd Bn., Coldstream Guards15 Sep. 1916Thiepval Memorial
Pte.George D. Eagle3rd Bn., Dorsetshire Regiment3 Apr. 1916All Saints' Churchyard
Pte.Alfred Linge12th Bn., East Surrey Regiment22 Oct. 1918Lijssenthoek Cemetery
Pte.Alfred H. Gathergood8th Bn., East Yorkshire Regiment31 Mar. 1917Duisans Cemetery
Pte.William A. Spinks13th Bn., Royal Fusiliers11 May 1917Nunhead Cemetery
Pte.Isaac W. Moule1st Bn., Grenadier Guards13 Mar. 1915Arras Road Cemetery
Pte.William H. Cant1st Bn., Royal Munster Fusiliers9 Sep. 1916Thiepval Memorial
Pte.Percy A. Meadows1st Bn., Norfolk Regiment7 Sep. 1916Thiepval Memorial
Pte.William G. Matthews2nd Bn., Norfolk Regt.19 Jan. 1917North Gate Cemetery
Pte.Alfred W. Nichols2nd Bn., Norfolk Regt.26 Feb. 1917Amara War Cemetery
Pte.George Boughen3/1st Sqn., Norfolk Yeomanry21 Jul. 1916Aylesbury Cemetery
Pte.George Vincent7th Bn., North Staffordshire Regiment25 Jan. 1917Amara War Cemetery
Pte.Bertie J. Cooper1st Bn., Queen's West Kent Regiment27 Sep. 1918Gouzeaucourt Cemetery
Pte.William H. Haines5th Bn., Wiltshire Regiment19 Apr. 1919All Saints' Churchyard