Otford War Memorial
The Green, Otford, Sevenoaks, TN14 5PD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1451860
- Date first listed:
- 19-Jul-2018
- List Entry Name:
- Otford War Memorial
- Statutory Address:
- The Green, Otford, Sevenoaks, TN14 5PD
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Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1451860
- Date first listed:
- 19-Jul-2018
- List Entry Name:
- Otford War Memorial
- Statutory Address 1:
- The Green, Otford, Sevenoaks, TN14 5PD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- The Green, Otford, Sevenoaks, TN14 5PD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Kent
- District:
- Sevenoaks (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Otford
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ5280459323
Summary
First World War memorial, of around 1919, with names added after the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Otford War Memorial, of around 1919, 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:
* a modest, but poignant war memorial, created from good quality materials and decorated with a sword, carved in relief.
Group value:
* with the Grade I Church of St Bartholomew, and the Grade II Otford pond.
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. One such memorial was raised in the village of Otford, Kent, as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was erected around 1919 and commemorates the 37 local servicemen from the area who died during this conflict. The names of the fallen include 2nd Lieutenant C Lutyens, who was the nephew of the Vicar of Otford (W M Lutyens), and the renowned architect, Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens. The memorial also commemorates W Farmer, who is recorded as 'Boy', a rank, which was created for entrants joining the Royal Navy, aged between 15 and 18.
After the Second World War, a plaque was added to commemorate the seven fallen from this conflict. The First World War bronze plaques have also been restored or replaced.
Details
First World War Memorial, of around 1919, with names added after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: Portland stone.
DESCRIPTION: the war memorial stands on Otford village green, outside the Church of St Bartholomew. It consists of a slim Latin cross, which carries a vertical sword, carved in relief. The cross is supported by a battered base, standing on three steps. The base carries four bronze plaques. On the principal face, the plaque is embossed with 'THE GLORIOUS DEAD / FALLEN IN THE / CAUSE / OF THE FREE / 1914 - 1918 / WHILE WE LIVE / WE'LL REMEMBER'. The three other plaques, carry the names of the 37 fallen in the First World War. On the step below the principal face, there is a bronze plaque embossed with '1939-1945', and also, the names of the seven who fell in this later conflict.
Sources
Websites
Imperial War Museum website, accessed 16/5/2018 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1796
War Memorials Trust, accessed 16/5/2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/120739/
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 28-Jul-2026 at 19:58:16.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.