Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled on 25 September 1925, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Penge War Memorial, which stands in a prominent location on Penge High Street, 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;
* Design: as a simple yet poignant Celtic cross;
* Group value: with a number of listed buildings, including the Church of St John the Evangelist, listed at Grade II.
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 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, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.
Details
First World War memorial, unveiled on 25 September 1925, with later additions for the Second World War.
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