WAR memorials in Princetown, Whitchurch, Sheepstor and Walkhampton are among 26 memorials in Devon to have been listed.

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, the 26 war memorials in Devon have been listed as Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

Built in the aftermath of the First World War, the newly listed memorials in Devon were among tens of thousands that were erected across England in memory of the many people who lost their lives in the conflict, never to return home.

In place of graves, these memorials became focal points for local communities to mourn and honour their dead.

Heritage minister Helen Whately said: ‘War memorials have a special place in communities and remind us of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

‘It is right that these monuments to the brave people who sadly never returned from the First World War will now be preserved and protected.’

Deborah Williams, Historic England’s listing team leader in the west, said: ‘This Sunday (November 10) many of us will observe the two minutes’ silence, which shows just how important we still believe it is for us to commemorate those who have died in conflict.

‘It’s this same respect for the fallen that has inspired us to list these memorials in Devon and help protect them for years to come.’

In 2014, Historic England committed to listing 2,500 war memorials by the end of 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. It achieved this target, listing 2,645, but decided to continue the work as many more cherished memorials worthy of listing status were identified.

Historic England is asking people to share their knowledge and photos of the newly listed memorials.

Stories of the people named on the memorials are also welcome.

Information can be uploaded along with pictures of other listed buildings and places.

Almost everyone in England lives within a mile of a place on the list which has more than 400,000 entries, from tower blocks and tombstones to barrows and bunkers, palaces and pigsties, cathedrals, windmills and rollercoasters.

The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) is held and managed by Historic England on behalf of the Government and secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

It identifies the buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes which receive special protection, so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

The NHLE covers England’s most valued prehistoric and historic places.

This Sunday will see main remembrance parades in Tavistock, Bere Alston and Albaston and smaller events throughout the parishes of West Devon and East Cornwall where people will take part in remembrance services and lay wreaths at war memorials.

See next week’s paper for pictures from the events.