Sir Edward Lutyens famously designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall where The Queen pays tribute to the fallen every year.

But the architect also designed 43 other war memorials across the country - including one in Maidstone.

To tie in with this year’s Remembrance Day activities the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that all of Lutyens’ memorials will be listed as being of historic importance.

A number of memorials that were already listed have had the listing upgraded to a higher level, including The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Cenotaph in Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone, which has been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*

This memorial commemorates the regiment’s 6,866 officers and men who died in the First World War.

The stone cenotaph is two-thirds the size of that in Whitehall cenotaph. It was unveiled on July 30, 1921.

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “Lutyens was a key figure in determining how the dead and missing should be commemorated. His designs are admired for the universality of their message. His pure architectural forms are mute symbols of grief, the simple inscriptions weighted with sorrow. These are enduring memorials, which show the power of classical architecture to convey meaning and dignity.”

In addition, Historic England has pledged to list a total of 2,500 other war memorials over the centenary of the First World War. Mr Bowdler said: “To do this, we need members of the public to put their war memorials forward for listing.

“Our goal is to see as many war memorials as possible are in a fitting condition for the centenary, and they remain cherished local landmarks for generations to come.”

The MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, is the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Heritage. She said: “The commemoration of the First World War Centenary has inspired people all over England to remember our shared history.

“Our war memorials provide a lasting legacy for those who sacrificed so much and I’d encourage anyone to nominate their local memorials for listing and preserve them for generations to come.”

Cllr David Pickett said: “We in Maidstone very much welcome the judgement that the memorial’s rating should be upgraded.

“It’s a great honour to have a Lutyen’s memorial in the borough.”

There are also Lutyens memorials in the villages of Rolvenden and Sandhurst, which are both Grade II listed.

For information on how to seek a listing, visit www.historicengland.org.uk/listingwarmemorials

Grants are available to help renovate war memorials, visit www.warmemorialstrust.org/grants