Armistice Day: Fifty war memorials across England given protected status

Fifty war memorials have been given listed status to mark Armistice Day, Historic England has announced.

The monuments of historic and architectural importance include one designed by a grieving sister as a tribute to her slain brother, a series on National Trust land and one nominated by a group of school children.

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The memorials are part of a programme by Historic England using public nominations to ensure 2,500 are listed by the Government in time for the centenary of the war's end in 2018.

Tracey Crouch, heritage minister, said: "The First World War affected every community across the country, and local memorials are integral to honouring the memory of those who served.

"As we continue to commemorate the centenary of the war, it is only right that we protect memorials across the country so future generations never forget the sacrifices that were made."

Among the memorials listed is the one at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford, Surrey, which was erected in 1922. Designed by the author and children's illustrator, Edith Farmiloe, it commemorates her brother, Major Geoffrey Brooke Parnell, and other soldiers in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment who fell with him during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.

A second is the memorial in Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire, which was nominated by pupils in year five at Thornton Primary School.

Also included are eight memorials erected in memory of two brothers killed in the First World War. William Robertson bequeathed money to the National Trust to buy land for memorials dedicated to Laurance and Norman, who were killed in 1916 and 1917 respectively.