Biggin Hill War Memorial

Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3DY

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

War memorial, 1923, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1432781
Date first listed:: 13-Jan-2017
List Entry Name:: Biggin Hill War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3DY

User submitted image — Uploaded by Dominic Martin This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1432781
Date first listed:: 13-Jan-2017
List Entry Name:: Biggin Hill War Memorial
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3DY

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3DY

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: Bromley (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ4178659440

Summary

War memorial, 1923, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Biggin Hill War Memorial, which stands on Main 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 the local community, and the sacrifices it made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a simple yet dignified column; * Group value: with the Grade II listed adjacent water trough.

History

The memorial was originally known as Cudham War Memorial, which was the parish for the area prior to the emergence of Biggin Hill as a centre of population in its own right. The memorial was designed and executed by the firm of Messrs. Francis Chappell of Bromley. The brickwork and banking were undertaken by Mr AT Roffey, DCM, Mr B Aves and Mr S Hill. It was unveiled at 3pm on 21 March 1923 by Group Captain Blandy DSO of the Air Ministry, a former Commander of the nearby RAF Air Station. The dedication was made by the Vicar of Cudham, the Reverend Bryan O’Laughlin. Anti-aircraft detachments from Biggin Hill formed the Guard of Honour, with arms reversed. Representatives from the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Corps of Engineers, Royal Signals and RAF were placed at the corners as mourners. A large gathering witnessed the unveiling with members of ex-service organisations, local churches and youth groups.

Further inscriptions were added to the memorial following the Second World War, in memory of those who lost their lives.

Details

War memorial, 1923, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: constructed of granite.

DESCRIPTION: brick base surmounted by a stepped plinth and square column with capstone on top. The inscription is carved on two sides of the column and base. Side One: (NAMES)/ TO THE FALLEN OF THIS PARISH/ THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. Side Two: (NAMES). Lead cross inlaid in the lower base under the inscription.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials in Bromley, accessed 5 December 2016 from http://www.bromley.gov.uk/directory/6/war_memorials_in_bromley
War Memorials Online, accessed 5 December 2016 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/139788
War Memorials Register, accessed 5 December 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1488

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.