Dunkirk Parish War Memorial

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled on 25 July 1919, 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:: 1444723
Date first listed:: 06-Apr-2017
List Entry Name:: Dunkirk Parish War Memorial

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1444723
Date first listed:: 06-Apr-2017
List Entry Name:: Dunkirk Parish War Memorial
Location Description:: War Memorial in the churchyard of the former Christ Church, which is now a private residence. London Road, Dunkirk, Kent, OS grid reference TR 07467 58928.

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

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

County:: Kent
District:: Swale (District Authority)
Parish:: Dunkirk
National Grid Reference:: TR0746758927

Summary

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

Reasons for Designation

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.

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.

Details

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.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Online, accessed 5 June 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/142575
War Memorials Register, accessed 5 June 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/16381
Website giving background to the memorial and the individuals commemorated, accessed 6 February 2016 from http://www.boughton-dunkirk-hernhill-warmemorials.com/dunkirkmemorial.html

Legal

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