List entry Description Summary of Building First World War memorial, unveiled 9 October 1921, with a further name added after the Second World War. . Reasons for Designation Tilmanstone War Memorial, unveiled 9 October 1921, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a simple yet striking memorial cross in Portland stone; * Group value: with The Ravens (Grade II). . History The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Tilmanstone as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by eight members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial is a Cross of Sacrifice, a design by Sir Reginald Blomfield widely incorporated in Imperial (later Commonwealth) War Graves Commission cemeteries and for town and village memorials. It was unveiled on 9 October 1921 by Vice Admiral (Later Admiral of the Fleet) Sir Roger John Brownlow Keyes and dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Thomas Davidson. Following the Second World War, the name of one who fell in that war was also added. . Details MATERIALS: Portland stone. DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a Latin cross surmounting a tapering shaft bearing a metal Sword of Sacrifice. The shaft is set upon an octagonal plinth upon a single-step base. On the front face of the plinth the inscription in black painted lettering reads: IN GRATEFUL/ REMEMBRANCE/ OF THE MEN/ OF TILMANSTONE/ WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES FOR/ THEIR COUNTRY/ 1914 – 1918. The names of those who fell in the First World War are recorded on the other plinth faces on either side of the front face. Around the base of the plinth is inscribed: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. The inscription on the base reads: 1939 – 1945 followed by the name of one who fell in that conflict.