Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, has welcomed the listing by Historic England of the Hornchurch War Memorial as one of three First World War memorials across London to receive Grade II listed status to mark Armistice Day.

Along with two memorials in Bromley-by-Bow, Hornchurch’s own tribute to those who lost their lives in the Great War was listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport - in which Mrs Lopez serves as a Minister - on the advice of Historic England. 

Built in the aftermath of the First World War (1914-1918), the recently listed war memorials are among tens of thousands that were built across England to honour those who lost their lives during the conflict. These memorials became focal points for local communities to help them mourn and honour their dead. The war memorials also contain plaques commemorating those lost during the Second World War. 

Hornchurch War memorial was erected in 1921 at a cost of £500 - money that had been raised by public subscription in order to commemorate the 200 servicemen of Hornchurch who were killed during the First World War. The original bronze plaques have since been replaced by larger marble or granite panels, incised with the names of the fallen. Several of those named on the memorial are buried in the adjacent St Andrew’s Churchyard, most notably including 4 Maori soldiers from the South Pacific island of Niue.

Mrs Lopez said, “I am glad to see our constituency’s rich heritage being recognised this year by DCMS and Historic England with the listing of Queen’s Theatre for the Platinum Jubilee and now the new Grade II listed status for Hornchurch War Memorial to mark the ultimate sacrifice of local people in protecting cherished freedoms. RAF Hornchurch was an absolutely vital base during the Battle of Britain in protecting London from enemy bombardment, and I am very grateful to see more formal recognition now too of those who lost their lives from Hornchurch during the First World War.”

Emily Gee, Historic England’s London and South East Regional Director said: “These special war memorials tell remarkable stories of sacrifice from the First and Second World Wars. Their listing recognises the extraordinary connection of people to place and ensures than the many employees of the Gas Light and Coke Company in Bromley-by-Bow, the servicemen of Hornchurch, and the four Maori soldiers from the South Pacific Island of Niue, will not be forgotten.”