Two cherished monuments to commemorate Huddersfield’s war heroes have been given Grade-II listed status.

Both the Huddersfield War Memorial in Greenhead Park and the Brockholes War Memorial have been attributed the status for the centenary of the First World War.

It means they are protected, conserved and recognised for their importance.

There are 46 war memorials across Kirklees, including seven in the Holme Valley and eight in Dewsbury.

The memorials were built by the community in the years following both wars as a reminder of those who lost their lives in the conflicts.

Huddersfield remembrance parade and service at the Cenotaph in Greenhead Park, Huddersfield.

The Greenhead Park memorial, set in the imposing stone Belvedere, had been designed by Sir Charles Nicholson, one of the country’s most well-known and respected ecclesiastical architects, who was at the height of his career.

His work included Portsmouth Cathedral and part of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

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The unveiling ceremony was led by the Mayor of Huddersfield Alderman Joseph Berry, himself was an architect, having started in practice in Huddersfield in 1885 having worked previously in the offices of the Borough Surveyor and the Waterworks Department.

It was unveiled on April 26, 1924, in front of a huge crowd.

The Brockholes war memorial is in the form of a large granite plaque on a limestone wall with moulded coping. There are iron railings and stone gateposts in front of the memorial at the junction of Oakes Lane and Brockholes Lane.

Protected status for Brockholes War Memorial

Historic England, who are committed to preserving the country’s war memorials, plan to gain listed status for 2,500 by 2018, marking 100 years since the end of the war.

They now want people across Kirklees to put their local war memorials forward for listing, with £2.5million available to repair and conserve monuments across the country.

Roger Bowdler, listing director at Historic England, said: “Researching, recording and recommending up to 2,500 war memorials for listing over the next five years is a major task but one that Historic England is proud to undertake.

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

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, who is leading the government on WWI commemorations, has also spoken of his delight at the move.

He said: “Whether we have relatives whose names are on local memorials, or who fought alongside those who died, we all have a connection with remembrance.

“I would urge everyone to make sure their local memorial is in good condition.”

War Memorial in Greenhead Park.