Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

First World War memorial. Erected 1920.

Monument Types

• WAR MEMORIAL (Modern to Unknown - 1920 AD)

Full description

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From the National Heritage List for England:

"List entry Description

Summary of Building

First World War memorial. Erected 1920. .

Reasons for Designation

Nackington War Memorial, which stands at the entrance to the village of Nackington, 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 sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20; * Design: as a simple but well-executed granite cross. .

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw an unprecedented wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country, 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.

One such memorial was raised at Nackington, as permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled on 1 October 1920 by Major General Sir Arthur Lynden-Bell KCMG KB. Major General Lynden Bell was a Boer War veteran, and was Chief of General Staff of the Mediterranean and Egypt Expeditionary Force during the war. He later became Colonel of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).The memorial has not been adapted to add names or dates for the Second World War therefore retaining the memorial’s original design.

In 2003 Nackington memorial was awarded a £250 grant from War Memorials Trust towards cleaning and repairs to the foundations. .

Details

First World War memorial. Erected in 1920.

MATERIALS: carved from granite.

DESCRIPTION: Nackington War Memorial comprises a granite wheel-head cross with celtic interlace relief carving on the cross arms and a boss to the centre. The cross sits on a squared tapering shaft and plinth and three rectangular steps. The memorial is set within a small roadside garden on Nackington Road at the junction with Church Lane.

The cross shaft is inscribed: OUR / GLORIOUS / DEAD. The plinth is inscribed with a list of names, together with the regiment or branch of service of the deceased. The top step is inscribed THESE MEN OF NACKINGTON GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE WAR 1914-1918. (1)"

<1> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading