Broadway War Memorial facts for kids
The Broadway War Memorial is a special monument found on the village green in Broadway, a village in Worcestershire, England. This memorial was built to remember the brave people from the local area who lost their lives fighting in World War I and World War II. It also honors one person who died during the Malayan Emergency.
This memorial is a tall, slender pillar made of limestone, a type of rock often used in building. It has eight sides, like an octagon, and stands on a base with three octagonal steps. At the very top, there's a Latin cross (a cross with a longer bottom arm) inside a diamond shape. The names of the local people who died in the wars are carved into the sides of the stone base. There are 38 names from World War I, 21 from World War II, and one from the Malayan Emergency.
The memorial was built around 1920. It was designed by an architect named F. L. Griggs. It was even featured in a book called Modern English Architecture by Charles Marriott in 1924, showing how important its design was considered.
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Why the Broadway War Memorial is Important
The Broadway War Memorial is more than just a stone pillar; it's a significant historical landmark. It has been officially recognized as a Grade II listed building since July 1987. This means it's considered a building of special historical or architectural interest and is protected.
What Does Grade II Listed Mean?
When a building or structure is "Grade II listed," it means it's important and should be preserved. It's like saying it's a valuable part of history or has a special design. This listing helps protect the memorial so it can be enjoyed and remembered for many years to come. An expert named Alan Brooks, who wrote about architecture in Worcestershire, even called the memorial "excellent."
Remembering the Fallen: The Inscription
The memorial has a special message carved into its stone. This message helps everyone remember why the memorial was built and who it honors.
What the Memorial Says
The words carved on the memorial are:
1914 - 18 / IN MEMORY OF THE MEN / OF BROADWAY / WHO DIED IN THE WAR OF / MCMXIV-XIX AND IN HONOUR / OF THEIR COMRADES/ (NAMES) 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES)
This inscription reminds us of the years the wars took place and states that it is "in memory of the men of Broadway who died in the war." It also honors their fellow soldiers. Below this main message, you can find the names of the brave individuals from Broadway who gave their lives.
