Flitwick War Memorial

Flitwick War Memorial, Corner of Station Road and Kings Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1JS

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1479194
Date first listed:: 08-Jun-2023
List Entry Name:: Flitwick War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Flitwick War Memorial, Corner of Station Road and Kings Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1JS

Flitwick War Memorial — Uploaded by Keith Badham This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1479194
Date first listed:: 08-Jun-2023
List Entry Name:: Flitwick War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Flitwick War Memorial, Corner of Station Road and Kings Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1JS

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

Statutory Address:: Flitwick War Memorial, Corner of Station Road and Kings Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1JS

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

District:: Central Bedfordshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Flitwick
National Grid Reference:: TL0348634939

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions.

Reasons for Designation

Flitwick war memorial, unveiled in 1920, dedicated to the local men who served and fell in the First World War and the Second World War, 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.

Architectural interest:

* as an elegant and well-executed memorial.

History

The aftermath of the First World War was the great age of memorial building, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities 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. The memorial at Flitwick was unveiled in October 1920 at a ceremony attended by the Duke of Bedford and local dignitaries. Following the Second World War a further 14 names were added to the memorial.

Details

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1920, with later additions.

MATERIALS: the entire memorial is constructed of granite.

DESCRIPTION: Flitwick War Memorial stands at the junction of Kings Road and Station Road in the centre of the town. The memorial consists of a Celtic cross with a sword carved in relief on its front (northwest) elevation. Below the cross the plinth is inscribed: ‘IN GRATEFUL AND GLORIOUS MEMORY OF / THE MEN OF THIS PARISH / WHO FOUGHT, AND OF THE FOLLOWING WHO / FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918’ and the 29 names of the fallen.

It stands upon a two-stepped base to which a tablet was added after the Second World War inscribed: ‘ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL / IN THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945’ and the 14 names of the fallen.

Sources

Websites
UK Inventory of War Memorials , accessed 17/11/2021 from https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/1641#

Legal

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

The listed building(s) is/are shown coloured blue on the attached map. Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) structures attached to or within the curtilage of the listed building but not coloured blue on the map, are not to be treated as part of the listed building for the purposes of the Act. However, any works to these structures which have the potential to affect the character of the listed building as a building of special architectural or historic interest may still require Listed Building Consent (LBC) and this is a matter for the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to determine.