Two war memorials in Cambridgeshire have been listed at Grade II ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Built in the aftermath of the First World War (1914-1918), the recently listed memorials are among tens of thousands that were erected across England in memory of the many people who lost their lives in the conflict.

Many of the war memorials also have plaques commemorating those lost during the Second World War.

The newly listed war memorials in Cambridgeshire are: 

Little Downham War Memorial (Grade II listed)

Little Downham War Memorial bears the names of 32 men who lost their lives in the First World War and a further eight who gave their lives in the Second World War.

The memorial, a stone wheel-head cross on a slender cross shaft, was raised in a service dedicated by the Bishop of Ely in December 1920.

The total cost of £150 was covered by a Mr George Darby, and a further £500 was raised by the local community.

In the same year, the money was also used to build a clubroom, which still exists.

Little Downham Parish Council restored the memorial in 2014. The names of the men who lost their lives in the Second World War are engraved around the top step.

The memorial inscription reads: “TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE/ WHO WENT OUT FROM THIS PARISH/ AND LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR US/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”.

Mepal War Memorial, Cambridgeshire (Grade II listed)

Mepal War Memorial, a Maltese cross, was unveiled on 8 October 1922. The occasion received extensive coverage in the local press.

The memorial, paid for by public subscription, was created by W T Doe and Son, of Soham.

It is dedicated to 13 people who lost their lives in the First World War, with six names added after the Second World War.

The memorial unusually contains the name of a woman - Nellie Waters – who sadly passed away from pneumonia whilst serving at a military camp in Thetford as part of the Navy Army Canteen Board. She was 22 years old.

The memorial was restored in 2005.

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director at Historic England, said: “As the world wars pass out of living memory, these memorials are an important reminder of local people who gave their lives to secure the freedom we enjoy today. 

“We’d love to see your photos, memories or information about family members named on your local listed war memorial.

“You can do this through our Missing Pieces Project on the Historic England website.”