Westgate-on Sea’s British Legion War Memorial is just one of 11 war memorials in Kent to be listed by Historic England this year.

It comes as part of Historic England’s pledge to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018, marking the centenary of the First World War.

The Westgate memorial is listed under the Planning Act 1990 for its special historic interest.

It was unveiled in 1923 and is Grade II listed.

Formal discussions about a suitable war memorial for the town began in February 1919.

In 1920 four and a half acres of land on Lymington Road were bought to be a recreation ground, and in October deeds were conveyed to the local authority.

Members of the former Westgate-on-Sea branch of the British Legion, however, wanted a monument as a focus for annual Remembrance Day parades, and so erected the war memorial in Sea Road in 1923.

It was designed by Mr CT Elliott and Sons of Ramsgate and Broadstairs.

The memorial was both unveiled and dedicated by the Suffragan Bishop of Croydon on August

4, 1923.

It was supposed to be unveiled by Lord Carson, who was unable to due to illness.

The memorial commemorates 77 local servicemen and two civilians who died during the war.

On May 4, 1952, a new plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Margate, Mrs BM Giles, commemorating the 29 fallen of the Second World War.

It was dedicated to both the vicar of St Saviour’s church, Reverend WEM Williams, and the congregational church minister, Reverend D Davies.

A further tablet was unveiled on August 10, 2014, listing the name of one sailor who died in the Iraq war in 2003.

Shortly before it was unveiled, Thanet District Council undertook repairs to the metal posts surrounding the memorial.

It is now one of 78 war memorials across the South East to be listed by Historic England this year.

To fulfil their wish to list 2,500 for centenary of the First World War, Historic England are asking the public to put their war memorials forward for listing.

Duncan Wilson, CEO for Historic England, said: “Researching, recording and recommending up to 2,500 war memorials for listing over five years is a major task but one that Historic England is proud to undertake.

“These memorials will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifice and struggle.”

To do so, head to www.historicengland.org.uk/listingwarmemorials