War memorials in Hornchurch and Bromley-by-Bow have been Grade-II listed in time for this year’s Armistice Day. 

The Hornchurch war memorial in Hornchurch High Street and the Gas Light and Coke Company war memorial rotunda in Bromley-by-Bow have been listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport after advice from Historic England. 

Two plaques at the Bromley site in Twelvetrees Crescent received a separate listing.

Listing records a building's special architectural and historic interest and means it must be protected under the planning system. Grade-II listing is the lowest and most common form and denotes special status.

Built in 1921, the Hornchurch war memorial was erected to commemorate the 200 servicemen from the area who died during the First World War. 

Several of those who died are buried in the adjacent St Andrew’s Churchyard, including four Māori soldiers from the South Pacific island Niue. 

The Gas Light and Coke Company war memorial rotunda and the two plaques were erected to honour the 951 workers at the company who died during the two world wars. 

One, dedicated to the 549 who fell during the First World War, features a carving of an angel dressed in armour with a sword, while a painting of the arms of the company, including a pair of salamanders breathing fire, adorns the other, honouring the 402 who died in the Second World War. 

Romford Recorder: The Hornchurch war memorial was built in 1921, at a cost of £500The Hornchurch war memorial was built in 1921, at a cost of £500 (Image: Google)

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 Māori soldiers from the South Pacific Island of Niue, will not be forgotten.” 

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