Grade II* listed war memorials in England facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

England is home to many special buildings and structures that are protected because they are important to history or architecture. These are called listed buildings. Among them are over 4,000 war memorials, which are places built to remember soldiers and other people who died in wars. About 137 of these war memorials are listed at a very high level called Grade II*. This means they are considered "particularly important buildings of more than special interest."

What are Listed Buildings?
Why are Grade II* War Memorials Special?
A Look at England's War Memorials
- Famous Memorials and Their Stories
Images for kids

What are Listed Buildings?

In England, a listed building is a structure that has special historical or architectural importance. When a building is "listed," it gets legal protection. This means it cannot be torn down or changed without permission from the local government. This helps to keep important parts of England's history safe for future generations.

There are three main categories for listed buildings:

Grade I: These are the most important buildings. Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings are in this category.
Grade II*: This is the second highest grade. About 5.5% of listed buildings fall into this group. These buildings are very important and have special historical or artistic value.
Grade II: This is the most common grade, making up about 92% of all listed buildings. These buildings are still important but are not as rare or unique as those in the higher grades.

Why are Grade II* War Memorials Special?

A war memorial gets a Grade II* listing for several reasons. It might be a stunning piece of art or have a very unusual design. It could also be historically significant, meaning it tells an important story from the past. Even if the person who designed or sculpted the memorial isn't famous, it can still be listed if it's truly special.

`Historic England`, which is the government group in charge of listing buildings, has been working to add more war memorials to the `National Heritage List for England`. This project is part of remembering the 100th anniversary of the `First World War`. This list only includes memorials that are free-standing structures. It does not include plaques on walls or sculptures inside other buildings unless they have their own separate listing.

A Look at England's War Memorials

War memorials in England come in many different shapes and sizes. They remember conflicts that happened over hundreds of years. However, memorials built specifically to honor soldiers and conflicts (rather than just victorious leaders) became common after the `Battle of Waterloo` in 1815. This battle marked the end of the `Napoleonic Wars`.

The `First World War` (1914–1918) led to the creation of far more memorials than any other single conflict. Many of these memorials were later updated to also remember those who died in the `Second World War` (1939–1945). This list also includes five memorials from the `Second Boer War` (1899–1902), four specifically for the Second World War, and one each for the `Seven Years' War` (1756–1763) and the `Crimean War` (1853–1856).

Here are some examples of these important war memorials:

Famous Memorials and Their Stories

`Mells War Memorial` in `Mells`, Somerset: This memorial remembers those from both the First and Second World Wars. It was designed by the famous architect `Sir Edwin Lutyens` and was officially opened in 1921.
`Merchant Seamen's Memorial` in `Tower Hill`, London: This memorial garden honors merchant seamen who died in the Second World War. It was designed by `Sir Edward Maufe` and completed in 1955.
Radcliffe Cenotaph in `Radcliffe, Greater Manchester`: A `Cenotaph` is a monument that honors people buried elsewhere. This one remembers those from the First and Second World Wars and was designed by Sydney Marsh. It was unveiled in 1922.
`Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial` in `West Kirby`, Merseyside: This memorial features an `Obelisk` (a tall, four-sided pillar) and sculptures. It was designed by `Charles Sargeant Jagger` and dedicated in 1922.
`Bromley War Memorial` in `Bromley`, London: Another obelisk with sculptures, this memorial also remembers both World Wars. It was created by `Sydney March` and opened in 1922.
`79th Regiment Memorial in `Clifton, Bristol`: This is a very old `Cenotaph` from 1766, remembering the `Seven Years' War`. Its architect is unknown, but it shows how long England has honored its soldiers.
`North Eastern Railway War Memorial` in `York`, North Yorkshire: Designed by `Sir Edwin Lutyens`, this memorial includes an obelisk, screen walls, and a `Stone of Remembrance`. It was built in 1924 for the First and Second World Wars.
`Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial` in `Madingley`, Cambridgeshire: This memorial, including a chapel and memorial wall, was designed by Perry Dean Rogers Architects. It honors those who died in the Second World War and was completed in 1954.
`Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial` in `Runnymede`, Surrey: This large memorial building, designed by `Sir Edward Maufe`, remembers air forces personnel from the Second World War. It was dedicated in 1953.
`Midland Railway War Memorial` in `Derby`, Derbyshire: Another design by `Sir Edwin Lutyens`, this cenotaph and screen wall honors those from the First World War. It was unveiled in 1921.
`Manchester Cenotaph` in `St Peter's Square`, Manchester: This famous `Cenotaph` was also designed by `Sir Edwin Lutyens` and remembers both World Wars. It was completed in 1924.
`Machine Gun Corps Memorial` at `Hyde Park Corner`, London: This sculpture by `Francis Derwent Wood` was unveiled in 1925 to honor the Machine Gun Corps from the First World War.
`Royal Air Force Memorial` on `Victoria Embankment`, London: Designed by `Sir Reginald Blomfield`, this memorial features a bronze eagle on a plinth. It honors those from the Royal Air Force in both World Wars and was dedicated in 1923.

Images for kids

Stockton-on-Tees War Memorial
Beaumont College war memorial
Stalybridge War Memorial
Bridgwater War Memorial
Northumberland Fusiliers Gateway, Hexham
South African War Memorial, York
Boer War Memorial Arch, Brompton Barracks
South African War Memorial, Clifton College
Devon County War Memorial
Folkestone War Memorial
24th East Surrey Division War Memorial
Cross at Church of All Saints, East Pennard
South African War Memorial, Worcester
Memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Wavertree
British Medical Association War Memorial
War memorial at All Saints' Church, Wigan
Saltburn War Memorial
Memorial to the Engine Room Heroes
Crimean War Memorial Arch, Brompton Barracks
Southport War Memorial
South African War Memorial, Haymarket, Newcastle
Bolton Cenotaph
Trumpington War Memorial
Earl Haig Memorial
Dover Patrol Monument
Civil Service Rifles War Memorial
Reigate and Redhill War Memorial
Holy Island War Memorial
British Thomson-Houston Company War Memorial
Faversham Munitions Explosion Memorial
La Délivrance
War memorial in War Memorial Park, Coventry
Oswaldtwistle War Memorial
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental War Memorial
Stourbridge War Memorial
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry War Memorial
Upper North Street School Memorial
Blackpool War Memorial
Westfield War Memorial Village memorial
Keighley War Memorial
Ashton-under-Lyne War Memorial
Burwash War Memorial
London and North Western Railway War Memorial
Macclesfield War Memorial
Birkenhead War Memorial
Kingston upon Thames War Memorial
Darwen War Memorial
Hythe War Memorial
Lytham St Anne's War Memorial
Harrow School War Memorial Building
Shropshire War Memorial
Lichfield War Memorial
Ditchling War Memorial
Newcastle and District War Memorial
Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Cenotaph
Huddersfield War Memorial
Norwich War Memorial
Lewes High Street War Memorial
Busbridge War Memorial
Bournemouth War Memorial
Belgian Monument to the British Nation
29th Division War Memorial
Royal Naval Division War Memorial
Southend-on-Sea War Memorial
War memorial at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham
Exeter City War Memorial
The Cavalry Memorial
Memorial Cross at St George's Church, Deal
War memorial cloisters at Sedbergh School
Worksop War Memorial
York City War Memorial
Retford War Memorial
Lancashire Fusiliers War Memorial
Briantspuddle War Memorial
Stanway War Memorial
Elveden War Memorial
Accrington War Memorial
Barnsley War Memorial
The City and County of London Troops War Memorial
Boer War Memorial, Cannon Hill Park
Portsmouth War Memorial
Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry War Memorial
Sheffield War Memorial
Rifle Brigade War Memorial
Rawtenstall Cenotaph
2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Memorial, Eastbourne
Rowntree Park Memorial Gates
Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial
South Harting War Memorial
Oldham War Memorial
Colchester War Memorial
National Submariners' War Memorial
West Derby War Memorial
Blackmoor War Memorial
Lenton War Memorial
Burnley War Memorial
Burton upon Trent War Memorial
Cumberland and Westmorland War Memorial
Watford Peace Memorial
Royal Fusiliers War Memorial
Great Dunmow War Memorial
Croydon Cenotaph
People of Dover war memorial
Crompton War Memorial
Crich Stand (Sherwood Foresters Regimental Memorial)
St Michael Cornhill War Memorial
Hatfield War Memorial
Harrogate War Memorial
Bury War Memorial
King's Royal Rifle Corps War Memorial, Winchester
Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Winchester War Memorial
County of Kent War Memorial Cross
Edgar Mobbs War Memorial, Northampton
Matlock Bath War Memorial
Twickenham War Memorial
Royal Air Force Memorial
Bootle War Memorial
St Saviour's War Memorial
Memorial to the Home of Aviation
Pearl Centre war memorial
War Memorial at All Souls' Church, Blackman Lane, Leeds
War Memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Newcastle-under-Lyme
War Memorial at Congress House
Polish Air Force Memorial

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Grade II* listed war memorials in England Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.