The war memorial on Chislehurst Common has been awarded Grade II listed status, thanks to pupils at Montbelle Primary School.

A group of year 6 children laid a wreath at the memorial to commemorate the occasion. The ceremony was led by Rev’d June Hurn of St Nicholas church, Chislehurst and Helen Spencer of Historic England.

“I feel proud because now the memorial has greater importance, acknowledging the people who fought and died during the wars,” says Year 6 pupil, Jack.

Historic England has pledged to protect 2,500 war memorials by 2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War. It is encouraging schools around the country to put their local memorials forward for listing.

Montbelle pupils got involved as part of their local heritage project last year. They researched the history of the memorial and visited war graves at St Nicholas church.

“I am proud that we could honour these people and now they can continue to be respected and remembered,” says Year 6 pupil, Joanna.

The war memorial was erected in 1920 and remains under the guardianship of Chislehurst Commons. The two Keepers of the Commons maintain the memorial year-round. Jonathan Harvie and Peter Edwards were there to take part in the ceremony.

Submitted by Gwen Lardner