Memorials

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was unveiled at Skegness on 15 November 1923 by the Earl of Yarborough, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, and dedicated by Bishop J Taylor Smith CB CVO DD, Chaplain-General to the Forces as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community, who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 71 local servicemen who fell during the First World War.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 57 fallen servicemen of that conflict and a further 11 civilians.

Skegness War Memorial is located on the South side of the Church of St Matthew on a small raised circular area. It consists of a stone Latin cross bearing a Sword of Sacrifice on the front face. It is set upon a tapering shaft with moulded base set upon an octagonal plinth. The plinth is set upon a three-stepped octagonal base.

For further information please see Historic England Website