St Luke's Church War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, c 1920, with Second World War additions.

Reasons for Designation

St Luke’s Church War Memorial, which stands at Bromley Common, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* as an accomplished and well-executed composition comprising a Portland stone wheel-head cross with a bronze statue of Christ;

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.

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 which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at St Luke's Church at Bromley Common 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 names of 180 who died were inscribed in pillars in the church and the names of 59 who died in the Second World War were subsequently added to another pillar. The latter included 16 civilians. Bromley suffered many enemy bomb attacks because of its nearness to both London and the RAF base at Biggin Hill. An incendiary bomb fell on St Luke's Church on 17 September 1940 but the resulting fire was quickly extinguished by the steeple keeper and wardens. The biggest air raid was in 1941 when 198 bombs were dropped in the area killing 74 civilians and destroying many buildings including Bromley Parish Church.

Details

First World War memorial, c 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located on the roadside front of St Luke's Church on Bromley Common. It takes the form of a stylised wheel-head cross on a rectangular shaft supporting a crucifix with bronze figure of Christ. Above it is a small bronze plaque with the letters INRI in relief. This rises from a three-tiered plinth, the whole carved in relief against a rectangular pillar behind. The cross stands on a stepped, square base.

On the lower plinth in incised lettering is : 1914 – 1919./ MIGHTY BY/ SACRIFICE. On the step of the base is 1939 – 1945.

Sources

Books and journals
Reeves, G, Undaunted: the story of Bromley in the Second World War, (1990)

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 12 February 2020 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/41364

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