'Dilapidated' war memorial fenced off for safety reasons

The civilian war memorial in an Enfield cemetery has deteriorated and is now deemed unsafe, reports James Cracknell

*The civilian war memorial at Lavender Hill Cemetery, which is now fenced off for safety reasons*

A civilian war memorial dedicated to those killed in air raids and bombings between 1939 and 1945 has been fenced off by Enfield Council after becoming “dilapidated”.

The memorial at Lavender Hill Cemetery had been partially covered in ivy, while the stonework is badly cracked and falling apart.

During the Second World War, 109 people in the former Enfield district of Middlesex were killed by air raids and flying bombs. Because Enfield Cenotaph in Chase Side is dedicated to soldiers and other combatants who were killed, the civilian war memorial was erected specifically for those Enfield residents – including many children – killed while going about their daily lives during the war.

An inscription on the memorial reads: “Erected by the citizens of Enfield to the memory of all those who lost their lives during the attacks from the air upon the town and of whom 25 lie in the two communal graves in this cemetery.”

David Carter, a local resident who often visits the cemetery, told the Dispatch: “I have got relations up here and I just noticed it [the memorial] was in a dilapidated state. I came here before Christmas and it had been fenced off.

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“It was clearly unloved.”

*Damage to the stonework of the civilian war memorial at Lavender Hill Cemetery*

The metal fence surrounding the memorial has been in place for at least a month, but there is nothing attached to it to explain to the public why it has been erected. David said he asked the council about it but did not receive a response. Responding to a question from the Dispatch, a council spokesperson explained that the memorial was now unsafe but that work to restore it should be finished in 2024.

The spokesperson said: “The council has commenced renovation of the memorial following an independent inspection and report that was completed last year. The inspection focused on the structural integrity of the memorial, which found significant dilapidation due to ground subsidence over the years. Based on this information, the memorial has been removed from public access, due to health and safety implications.

“We are working with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the War Memorials Trust to find the best solution regarding the repair of the memorial, whilst also exploring potential sources for funding. The council’s aim is to have the memorial back open for the public to access by next year.”

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