History in Structure

Barking Park War Memorial

A Grade II Listed Building in Abbey, London

More Photos »
Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.5445 / 51°32'40"N

Longitude: 0.0836 / 0°5'1"E

OS Eastings: 544582

OS Northings: 184907

OS Grid: TQ445849

Mapcode National: GBR P8.7S2

Mapcode Global: VHHNC.DFKT

Plus Code: 9F32G3VM+RF

Entry Name: Barking Park War Memorial

Listing Date: 12 February 2015

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1424142

ID on this website: 101424142

Location: Barking Park, Loxford, Barking and Dagenham, London, IG11

County: London

District: Barking and Dagenham

Electoral Ward/Division: Abbey

Parish: Non Civil Parish

Built-Up Area: Barking and Dagenham

Traditional County: Essex

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London

Church of England Parish: Great Ilford St Luke

Church of England Diocese: Chelmsford

Tagged with: War memorial

Find accommodation in
Barking

Summary


War memorial by C J Dawson FRIBA, 1922, in Barking Park. Additional details added after the Second World War.

Description


Materials: Portland stone, bronze, marble.

Description: the memorial stands in the rond point of a path in the North-West part of Barking Park. It comprises a three-stepped flagstone pavement with a centrally positioned pylon and curved, flanking, walls. The 3m tall pylon features a centrally-positioned stone laurel wreath carved in relief which is flanked by the inscribed and gilt dates 1914 1918. A plaque is fixed below the wreath and reads IN GRATITUDE TO ALL/ WHO SERVED, AND IN HONOUR/ OF THE MEN OF BARKING WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR. Inscribed and gilded below this plaque are the dates 1939-1945.

The 3m tall flanking walls, bearing carved and gilt inscriptions, end in terminal piers. The walls carry 14 bronze name plaques. On the rear of the pylon an inscription reads THIS MAST WITH FLAGS WAS PRESENTED TO THE TOWN OF BARKING BY/ ARTHUR W. SMITH, ESQ., ON THE CONCLUSION OF PEACE AS A TOKEN OF/ REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE OF OUR TOWN WHO SERVED IN HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES/ DURING THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-18 OF WHOM MANY WERE WOUNDED AND/ OTHERS GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY BEING THE MEANS OF SAVING/ OUR NATION AND EMPIRE, PROTECTING US AND OUR HOMES AND STANDING/ FOR JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE WORLD./ JULY 19 1919 This inscription refers to a flagpole on the central pylon, which was part of the original design but is now missing.

History


The war memorial, in remembrance of the men of Barking lost in the First World War, was unveiled by the Reverend Avison Terry Scott on 25 March 1922 and dedicated by the Suffragan Bishop of Barking. It was designed by distinguished local architect C J Dawson FRIBA (1850-1933). Dawson was the consultant architect to Barking Borough Council between 1899 and 1923 and was responsible for the design of Barking Park and its boating lake. The memorial masons were Messrs Samuel Baymouth & Sons and it was constructed by local builder J Clement.

Originally the names were incised into stone tablets, but due to weathering these had become illegible by 1992, when a new plaque was added to honour the lost names. A further plaque was added in October 2000 and 14 bronze plaques with enamelled lettering, to replace the original name tablets, were unveiled at a re-dedication service on 5 August 2001. Following research, an additional 385 names were added to the memorial at this time.

Reasons for Listing


Barking Park War Memorial 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 the work of a notable local architect, C J Dawson.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.