Four Village War Memorials Granted Grade II Listing Before Remembrance Day

Ahead of Remembrance Day, four village memorials, established to honor individuals—specifically men and one woman—who perished in World War One, have been designated as Grade II listed. These monuments, located in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, were originally unveiled during the 1920s, with additional names of men being inscribed after World War Two. Historic England noted that a particular memorial in Mepal, situated between Chatteris and Ely, is distinctive because it includes the name of a woman, Nellie Waters, a 22-year-old canteen worker who passed away at a military camp in Thetford, Norfolk. Regional director Tony Calladine stated, “As the world wars pass out of living memory, these memorials are an important reminder of local people who gave their lives to secure the freedom we enjoy today.” These monuments are part of the tens of thousands established throughout England, serving as community gathering points for mourning and honoring the deceased, often in lieu of graves. Historic England reported that the dedication of the Mepal war memorial, which was financed through public contributions and constructed in Soham, received “extensive” attention in the local media during 1922. This memorial commemorates 13 individuals who died in World War One, among them Ms Waters, who developed pneumonia while working for the Navy Army Canteen Board, an organization that preceded the NAAFI service. An additional six names were inscribed on the memorial in the 1940s. The war memorial in Little Downham, located near Ely, was dedicated by the Bishop of Ely. It pays tribute to 32 men, along with eight more who perished in World War Two. Historic England stated that the Northchurch War Memorial, situated near Berkhamsted, is located within the churchyard of St Mary’s Church. It stands as an enduring tribute to the sacrifices of 46 local men who died in World War One, and 13 in the subsequent conflict. The agency also mentioned that the memorial at Hertford Heath, close to Hertford, was unveiled in 1920 following a procession by villagers from the church to the adorned Celtic cross, accompanied by the band of the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport granted listed status to these monuments, acting upon the recommendation of Historic England.