History in Structure

Dunkirk Parish War Memorial

A Grade II Listed Building in Dunkirk, Kent

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.2917 / 51°17'29"N

Longitude: 0.9742 / 0°58'27"E

OS Eastings: 607467

OS Northings: 158927

OS Grid: TR074589

Mapcode National: GBR SWF.TB1

Mapcode Global: VHKJX.TSWP

Plus Code: 9F327XRF+MM

Entry Name: Dunkirk Parish War Memorial

Listing Date: 6 April 2017

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1444723

ID on this website: 101444723

Location: Dunkirk, Swale, Kent, ME13

County: Kent

District: Swale

Civil Parish: Dunkirk

Built-Up Area: Dunkirk

Traditional County: Kent

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Kent

Tagged with: War memorial

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Summary


First World War memorial, unveiled on 25 July 1919, with later additions for the Second World War.

Description


War Memorial unveiled on 25 July 1919.

MATERIALS: rough-hewn granite.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a Celtic cross upon a tapered plinth and three-stepped base.

The plinth bears the inscription: IN MEMORIAM, followed by the names of the individuals who died in the First World War. The names continue onto the first step below the plinth. The second step bears the inscription: THEY NOBLY FELL SO WE MIGHT LIVE/1914-1918, below which are the dates 1939-1945 and the names of those who perished in the Second World War. Beneath this is a substantial tapered, randomly-coursed stone base.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 5 June 2017.

History


The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever, with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country. This was a result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and the official policy of not repatriating the dead. Therefore, the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Dunkirk, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was designed by Messrs Millen and Chrisfield of Faversham and unveiled on 25 July 1919, by Mr W C Davies. The memorial commemorates 26 men of the parish who died during the First World War.

Following the Second World War, a further six names were added to the memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives in this conflict.

Reasons for Listing


Dunkirk Parish War Memorial, which stands in church yard of the former Christ Church on Canterbury Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: as a simple yet poignant Celtic cross;
* Group value: with adjacent former Christ Church, listed at Grade II.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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