WAR memorials across the region have been given listed status to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
Historic England has pent the past four years listing or upgrading the status of 2,500 memorials nationwide, including 28 in Coventry and Warwickshire.
They include:
In Coventry – Keresley War Memorial, St Thomas’ Church, Keresley (Grade II); Alderman’s Green War Memorial, Alderman’s Green Free Methodist Church, Coventry (Grade II); Radford St Nicholas War Memorial (Grade II); St Paul’s Foleshill War Memorial, churchyard of St Paul’s (Grade II);
In Rugby – Whitehall Recreation Ground War Memorial Gates (Grade II); 29th Division War Memorial, Fosse Way, Rugby (Grade II* – previously listed at Grade II); British Thomson-Houston Co Ltd War Memorial, Technology Drive, Rugby (Grade II* – previously listed at Grade II); Rugby School War Memorial (Grade II); Birdingbury War Memorial (Grade II); Bascote Heath and Stoneythorpe War Memorial (Grade II)
In Stratford district – Stratford First World War Memorial, Garden of Remembrance, Old Town (Grade II); Stratford Second World War Memorial, Garden of Remembrance, Old Town (Grade II); War memorial at Christ Church Baptist Church, Stratford (Grade II); Alcester War Memorial (Grade II); Arden House School War Memorial, Warwickshire College, Henley (Grade II); Harbury War Memorial (Grade II); Walton War Memorial (Grade II); Wormleighton War Memorial (Grade II).
In Warwick district – Free Czechoslovak Army Memorial Fountain, Jephson Gardens, Leamington (Grade II); Kenilworth War Memorial (Grade II); Cubbington War Memorial, Churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade II).
Tens of thousands of memorials were built throughout England, the majority paid for by money raised locally, and huge crowds of people turned out at unveilings to pay tribute to the fallen.
But before Historic England started its project there were more listed telephone boxes (2,486) than war memorials (1,657) in England.
Heritage Minister Michael Ellis said: “The First World War was a period of unprecedented loss for families across the country and after the Armistice communities sought to commemorate their fathers, sons, and brothers who sadly never returned.
“It is right that 100 years on we have protected these poignant memorials and continue to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England added it had been an important project.
He said: “The stories behind these memorials are very moving and each one tells us how devastating the First World War was for communities across the country.
“Over a million Britons lost their lives during the war and it’s important that their sacrifice and struggle is not forgotten. By protecting and repairing war memorials we are ensuring that we remember them for years to come.”
