Detail of Southend-on-Sea War Memorial, Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea © Tim Skelton

National Collection of Lutyens’ War Memorials Listed

Published 7 November 2015

Gerrards Cross Memorial Building Newly listed at Grade II, East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire Gerrards Cross Memorial Building is Lutyens’ only memorial building with a community purpose. The hall was adapted in 1922 by Lutyens from the stables of the 18th-century vicarage alongside (now the Grade II listed Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre). The portico contains a tall stone memorial plaque inscribed with 20 names of those who died in the First World War. © Tim Skelton

All 44 First World War memorials by the architect of the Whitehall Cenotaph are now protected
Part of Historic England's pledge to list 2,500 war memorials over the centenary of the First World War
Historic England urges communities to apply for repair grants for local war memorials

Scattered across England in city squares and public parks are 44 First World War memorials designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). To mark Remembrance Sunday, all Lutyens’ First World War free-standing memorials are now protected by listing.

The department for Culture, Media and Sport, on the advice of Historic England, have just listed Lutyens’ Gerrards Cross memorial building in Buckinghamshire. 14 memorials have had their listing status upgraded and the rest honoured with fitting descriptions on the National Heritage List for England.

Five of Lutyens’ memorials have been upgraded to Grade I, and join his Grade I Cenotaph in Whitehall and Grade I Arch of Remembrance in Leicester.

Previously unrecognised National Collection

The announcement brings to light Lutyens’ war memorials as a previously unrecognised national collection, a legacy like that of Wren’s churches or Nash’s Regency terraces. Seven of Lutyens’ memorials are now Grade I listed – representing half of the total number of all Grade I war memorials in England. Thoroughly researched by Lutyens expert Tim Skelton, their stories are now revealed.

These beautiful and poignant memorials vary in design and scale: from War Cross to obelisk, pavilion to arch, each tells its own solemn story. See below for a full list of Lutyens’ 44 First World War memorials in England.

Tracey Crouch, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Heritage, said:
"The commemoration of the First World War Centenary has inspired people all over England to remember our shared history. Our war memorials provide a lasting legacy for those who sacrificed so much and I'd encourage anyone to nominate their local memorials for listing and preserve them for generations to come."

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “Lutyens was a key figure in determining how the dead and missing should be commemorated. His designs are admired for the universality of their message. His pure architectural forms are mute symbols of grief, the simple inscriptions weighted with sorrow. These are enduring memorials, which show the power of classical architecture to convey meaning and dignity. We are also very grateful to volunteers who have helped us with these new listings – a new form of partnership.”

Lutyens' War Memorials image gallery

Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.

The Arch of Remembrance, Grade I, Leicester

Spalding War Memorial, Ayscoughfee Hall, Lincolnshire, Upgraded to Grade I (from II)

Rochdale Cenotaph, Memorial Gardens, Town Hall Esplanade, Rochdale, Upgraded to Grade I (from II)

British Thomson-Houston War Memorial Upgraded to Grade II* (from II), Technology Drive (moved from Mill Road), Rugby

Southend-on-Sea War Memorial Upgraded to II* (from II), Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea

Newly listed Lutyens’ memorial

Gerrards Cross Memorial Building(opens in a new window) Newly listed at Grade II, East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

Newly upgraded listed Lutyens’ memorials

Merchant Navy War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade I (from II*), Trinity Square Garden, Tower Hill, London

Spalding War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade I (from II), Ayscoughfee Hall, Lincolnshire

Southampton Cenotaph(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade I (from II*), Watts Park, Southampton

Northampton War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade I (from II*), Wood Hill, Northampton

Rochdale Cenotaph(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade I (from II), Memorial Gardens, Town Hall Esplanade, Rochdale

British Thomson-Houston War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to Grade II* (from II), Technology Drive (moved from Mill Road), Rugby

Busbridge War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), Churchyard of St John the Baptist, Brighton Road, Busbridge

Civil Service Rifles War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), Somerset House, Strand, London

Holy Island War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), The Heugh, Holy Island, Northumberland

Royal Naval Division War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), Horseguards Parade, Westminster, London

Royal Berkshire Regiment Cenotaph(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), Brock Barracks, Oxford Road, Reading

The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Cenotaph Upgraded to II* (from II), Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone

Southend-on-Sea War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea

York City War Memorial(opens in a new window) Upgraded to II* (from II), War Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York

All other First World War Memorials by Lutyens in England: