UK War Memorials

Responsibility for memorials

If you are concerned about the condition of a war memorial you should first speak to the owner/custodian of the war memorial. This is the organisation or individual who is responsible for the war memorial.

If you are unsure about who this is, start by considering where the memorial is and ask those involved with the upkeep of that location e.g. church, school or owners of the land.

When memorials were erected after the First World War some committees did not consider the long term care, maintenance or the idea of ‘ownership’ of their memorial. Therefore a war memorial may no longer have anyone responsible for its upkeep. War Memorials Trust has a helpsheet on identifying the owner or custodian of a memorial.

Some Local Authorities and Councils have a nominated War Memorials Officer who may know who the owners or custodians of a memorial are and who is responsible for the maintenance of the war memorials in the local area.

The War Memorials (Local Authorities) Act 1948 allows a Local Authority (Town or Parish Councils) to maintain those memorials that do not have an owner, but they are not required to. They may maintain, repair and protect memorials and make corrections and additions, e.g. to commemorate subsequent conflicts on an existing memorial.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is responsible for the maintenance of its war graves and memorials to the missing, both in the UK and overseas.

Cleaning

Communities often want their war memorials to be in the best condition possible so that they continue to form a fitting tribute to the fallen.

There are many different types of war memorial and each memorial presents a unique set of circumstances and materials so assessing what is needed has to be done on a case-by-case basis.

However, cleaning is not as straightforward as is often assumed. Over-cleaning, using inappropriate materials or techniques can cause permanent to your war memorial.

Light cleaning of sound stone with a  non-metallic bristle brush and clean water is unlikely to cause damage; it is strongly recommended that any other cleaning of a war memorial is carried out by experienced contractors, craftsmen or conservators. The Institute of Conservation has a register of conservation specialists and the Building Conservation Directory is a useful resource for conservation products and services.

For advice online see The Conservation, Repair and Management of War Memorials by Historic England; The repair and maintenance of war memorials from Historic Environment Scotland and Caring for War Memorials in Wales by Cadw. War Memorials Trust has a range of helpsheets on different aspects of cleaning and conservation of materials.

Repair

Craftsman restoring the stonework of the Cenotaph, Westmister, London
© Historic England Archive

There are many different types of war memorial and each memorial presents a unique set of circumstances and materials so assessing what is needed has to be done on a case-by-case basis.

War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve war memorials in the UK and provides free advice and guidance to anyone on all issues affecting war memorials. The Trust’s Conservation Team can assist you in assessing a memorial’s condition and taking the appropriate steps to address any problems. The charity administers grant schemes which may be able to provide funding to support repair and conservation projects.

You can also submit concerns about the condition of a war memorial through War Memorials Online, which will enable War Memorials Trust to review the case.

Historic England publishes guidance online on The Conservation, Repair and Management of War Memorials. In partnership with War Memorials Trust, the Garden History Society and Historic Scotland they also offer guidance on Conserving and Managing Memorial Landscapes. The repair and maintenance of war memorials is available online from Historic Environment Scotland and Caring for War Memorials in Wales by Cadw. War Memorials Trust has a range of helpsheets on different aspects of repair and conservation of materials.

It is important to always seek professional advice when undertaking work on a war memorial. You should not attempt to undertake the work yourself.

Relocation

It is important to consider that memorials reflect the wishes of those responsible for their construction and that their location and form were carefully considered at the time.

The site of a memorial may hold a special significance and where possible a war memorial should be preserved in its original location.

Relocation should only be considered if its current position is putting the memorial at risk or if it is no longer accessible to the public for commemoration.

War Memorials Trust has advice on their Relocation helpsheet that can inform the relocation process.

Making changes/adding names to a memorial

Changes

When seeking changes or additions to a memorial it is important to consider the original purpose of the memorial in question.

Later changes and additions can significantly alter the meaning of a memorial and if not carried out sympathetically can affect the integrity of the structure.

War Memorials Trust has additional guidance on the addition of QR codes and Victoria Cross paving stones to war memorials.

Names

Please remember that not everyone would have wanted their loved one’s name added to a war memorial. There are many reasons why someone may not have wanted their loved one on a war memorial, including:

• Families not wanting to see a public reminder of their loss
• The commemoration of a casualty on a smaller local memorial from example a plaque in a church
• The casualty may have been of a differing religious denomination

War Memorials Trust has advice on their Addition of Names to War Memorials help sheet

Instead of making significant changes to an existing memorial in some cases it may be more appropriate to create a new memorial.

Finding the right professional

The Institute of Conservation provides advice about how to choose a conservator or restorer from their register of conservation specialists. The Institute of Historic Building Conservation is another professional body for specialists.

War Memorials Trust’s helpsheet on Contractors.  Additionally, the following national heritage organisations have published guidance about finding contractors to carry out work on war memorials:

The Conservation, Repair and Management of War Memorials,  by Historic England

The repair and maintenance of war memorials from Historic Environment Scotland,

War Memorials in Wales: Technical Guidance by Cadw 

Professional cleaning of Walsall Cenotaph, West Midlands © Historic England Archive

Reporting the condition of a memorial

You can report the condition of a memorial via War Memorials Online, which is run by War Memorials Trust with support from Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland and Cadw. If the memorial is marked as being in Poor or Very bad condition, or if you Report a Concern War Memorials Trust will review the issues.

Kemerton War Memorial, Worcester, with detail of erosion of the cross
© Historic England Archive

Advice for professionals

Historic England works with War Memorials Trust to improve war memorial conservation skills amongst professionals. If you’re a heritage professional working with war memorials and landscapes, please refer to Historic England’s guidance on conserving war memorials. Advice is also available from War Memorials Trust.