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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Knowlton - WW1 (Weekly Dispatch Newspaper Bravest Village- 1st Place)

    KentFallen 2002-9

    Source: Copyright KentFallen 2002-9

    1/3

    Current Location

    Between Knowlton and Chillenden., Sandwich Road, Knowlton, Dover, Kent, CT3 1PR, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TR 27498 53613

    View location on Google Maps

    Names

    Names listed on this memorial

    • F E Speed

    • E I L Speed

    • D C L Speed

    • C Baldock

    • L Martin

    • C Crocker

    • W J Brett

    • L Lack

    • P O'Brien

    • C Sturdee

    • T J Wilkins

    • A Wood

    • S C H Sargent

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    © WMR-1143

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    Type of Memorial
    Cross
    WMR Reference Number
    1143
    Description
    A cross in the style of a medieval lantern cross but has figures of soldier; nurse; victory; casualty on top of pillar. This group surmounted by orb & crown, and a wreath on the six o'clock face surrounds carved relief portraits of King George V and Queen Mary.
    Inscription
    ONE CROWDED HOUR OF GLORIOUS LIFE IS WORTH AN AGE WITHOUT A NAME/ THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED IN HONOUR OF THOSE TWELVE MEN OF KNOWLTON WHO OUT OF A TOTAL/ POPULATION OF 39 ENLISTED PRIOR TO MARCH 1915 AND BY THEIR PATRIOTIC ACTION WON/ THE WEEKLY DISPATCH "BRAVEST VILLAGE" COMPETITION/ THOSE WHO SERVED WITH HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919/ (Names)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    13
    Served
    13
    Information shown
    surname, initials of forenames, rank, regiment, decorations
    Order of names
    rank THEN surname
    Additional Information
    A 13th, Chaplain's, name was added later
    Maker(s)
    • SIR GEORGE JAMES FRAMPTON RA, Sculptor

    Sponsor Type
    corporate
    Sponsored By
    Given by the weekly standard newspaper

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    1st September 1919

    Local Clergy/Dignitaries

    Custodian
    FOX-PITT FAMILY, KNOWLTON COURT

    Components

    Base

    Width: 4150MM

    Depth: 4150MM


    Made from: Granite - Aberdeen


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1485243

    Reasons for listing from Historic England website: Architectural interest: * as a handsome and well-crafted memorial designed by the prolific and prominent sculptor Sir George Frampton, with detailed carvings and relief portraits. Historic interest: * as an eloquent commemoration of the service of the men who lived and worked at Knowlton Court and their contribution to the national war effort; * as the ‘Bravest Village Cross’, a memorial prize awarded by the Weekly Dispatch newspaper to Knowlton as the village with the largest proportion of men enlisted in the country. Its commission in February 1915 makes it one of the earliest memorial First World War designs. Group value: * for its historic relationship with the Grade I-listed Knowlton Court and nine associated listed buildings, with the memorial commemorating men who lived and worked on the nearby estate.

    Column

    Height: 5000MM


    Made from: Granite - Aberdeen


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1485243

    Reasons for listing from Historic England website: Architectural interest: * as a handsome and well-crafted memorial designed by the prolific and prominent sculptor Sir George Frampton, with detailed carvings and relief portraits. Historic interest: * as an eloquent commemoration of the service of the men who lived and worked at Knowlton Court and their contribution to the national war effort; * as the ‘Bravest Village Cross’, a memorial prize awarded by the Weekly Dispatch newspaper to Knowlton as the village with the largest proportion of men enlisted in the country. Its commission in February 1915 makes it one of the earliest memorial First World War designs. Group value: * for its historic relationship with the Grade I-listed Knowlton Court and nine associated listed buildings, with the memorial commemorating men who lived and worked on the nearby estate.

    • The Times 08 SEP 1919
    • Dumfries & Galloway Standard 18 Feb 1922-'The Bravest Village' the village of Mennock was awarded 2nd place in the 'Weekly Despatch' bravest village competition and has now been presented with a magificant bronze tablet, set in a polished alabaster slab, and bearing the names of those who answered Lord Kitchener's call to arms during the first six months of the war. The tablet is the gift presented by Messrs H.B. Sale, Ltd., bronze manufacturers, Birmingham. A committee has been appointed to make arrangements for the erection of the tablet in a suitable place in the village. Its acquistition was due to the untiring efforts of Mr. Walter Chusholm, who compiled the names, rank, and regiments of the village lads. The first place was gained by Knowlton, Kent, while the third went to the Orkney Islands.
    • http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=219
    • Daily Record - Tuesday 02 February 1915 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000728/19150202/082/0003 BRITAIN'S BRAVEST VILLAGE MEMORIAL CROSS OFFERED FOR PATRIOTISM
    • "Knowlton War Memorial." Historic England, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1485243. Accessed 29 June 2024.