Flitwick War Memorial, Flitwick, Central Bedfordshire

Entry Name: Flitwick War Memorial

Listing Date: 8 June 2023

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1479194

ID on this website: 101479194

County: Central Bedfordshire

Civil Parish: Flitwick

Built-Up Area: Ampthill

Traditional County: Bedfordshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Bedfordshire

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions.

Description

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions.

MATERIALS: the entire memorial is constructed of granite.

DESCRIPTION: Flitwick War Memorial stands at the junction of Kings Road and Station Road in the centre of the town. The memorial consists of a Celtic cross with a sword carved in relief on its front (northwest) elevation. Below the cross the plinth is inscribed: ‘IN GRATEFUL AND GLORIOUS MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF THIS PARISH / WHO FOUGHT, AND OF THE FOLLOWING WHO / FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918’ and the 29 names of the fallen.

It stands upon a two-stepped base to which a tablet was added after the Second World War inscribed: ‘ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL / IN THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945’ and the 14 names of the fallen.

History

The aftermath of the First World War was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. The memorial at Flitwick was unveiled in October 1920 at a ceremony attended by the Duke of Bedford and local dignitaries. Following the Second World War a further 14 names were added to the memorial.

Reasons for Listing

Flitwick war memorial, unveiled in 1920, dedicated to the local men who served and fell in the First World War and the Second World War, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as an elegant and well-executed memorial.

External Links

Historic England Listing

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.