Village war memorials to be preserved

Five memorials, built to remember those who went to battle in the First World War but never came home, have been given the status in and around Peterborough.

The monuments in the city which have been protected are at Thornhaugh and Wansford, Maxey and Deeping Gate, Eye, Werrington and Newborough.

Most of the memorials date back to the 1920s, having been built to remember the First World War - although later additions to the stone landmarks have been made for victims of other wars and battles, with dozens of names of victims of war from the local area listed on the sides.

The monuments are part of a list of 2,500 across the country which have been selected for preservation and repair work, with a £2 million budget for the national scheme.

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “These memorials will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifice and struggle.”

John Whittingdale, Culture Secretary, who leads for the Government on First World War commemorations, added: “Whether we have relatives whose names are on local memorials, or who fought alongside those who died, we all have a connection with remembrance.”