Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Brasted War Memorial, set into the wall in front of the village hall, 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: an elegant neoclassical shrine in the form of an archway;
* Group value: with a number of Grade II-listed buildings in close proximity on the High Street.
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 England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
Details
The war memorial is a shrine in the form of a neoclassical archway set into the front wall before Brasted’s village hall of 1910 (not listed), on the north side of the main road through the village close to the turning to Toys Hill. It has Portland stone ashlar columns supporting a broken pediment. Within, set in local Kentish Ragstone, is an elaborate Portland stone plaque, with a crown above and laurel leaf swags draped to the sides.
End of official list entry
