Island war memorials given Grade II status

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, 12 war memorials on the Isle of Wight have been listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

In the aftermath of the First World War (1914-1918), the newly listed memorials were among tens of thousands that were erected across England in memory of the many people who lost their lives in the conflict, never to return home. In place of graves, these memorials became focal points for local communities to mourn and honour their dead.

Heritage Minister Helen Whately said: “War memorials have a special place in communities and remind us of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It is right that these monuments to the brave people who sadly never returned from the First World War will now be preserved and protected.”

Emily Gee, Regional Director for Historic England in London and the South East, said: “This Sunday (November 10) many of us will observe the two minutes’ silence, which shows how important we believe it is for us to commemorate those who have died in conflict.

“It is this same respect for the fallen that has inspired us to list these memorials on the Isle of Wight and help protect them for years to come.”

The memorials are located in Newport, Newchurch, Carisbrooke, Sandown, Bonchurch, East Cowes, Ventnor, Chale, Whippingham, Brading, Wroxall and Thorley.

If you have memories or pictures of the memorials you would like to share to help record important facts or the stories of the people named on them you can do so on https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/enrich-the-list/.