Coggeshall war memorial to feature on the Historic England protection list

Coggeshall's memorial in East Street, and the public recreation ground surrounding it, marks the land where a German bomb hit during the First World War.

On February 21, 1915, two German bombs were dropped over Braintree.

About five minutes later a high explosive bomb landed at Coggeshall in a meadow adjacent to Abbey View, where shrapnel damaged a carpenter’s shop.

Another piece of shrapnel flew through a cowshed, just missing a cow, before smashing through a window into a house.

There were no casualties, although the wife of an agricultural worker died from shock as a result of the explosion.

The memorial was built in 1920, to remember the fallen and mark where the bomb crater had formed.

Shirley Ratcliffe, volunteer curator at Coggeshall Museum in Stoneham Street, said: “The bomb being dropped by an aircraft was unusual as most bombing at that time took placed from Zepplins, and this is probably why the crater shown is not a huge one.

“Early navigation in aircraft was difficult and one wonders if this bomb was intended for a bigger target.

“Although the listing of the memorial means it is acknowledged as being of historical merit and therefore protected, I think it is more important that the generations in Coggeshall are aware of how much we owe to all of those commemorated from both wars for the life of freedom that we all enjoy.”

“It is gratifying the schools in Coggeshall and the young folk from the uniformed groups take part in any remembrances.

“In 2014 for the First World War we had a Field of Crosses, one cross named for each man, and last year a similar field for the Second World War and poppies were laid out.”

Historic England has pledged to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018, marking the centenary of the First World War.

For details on getting a memorial listed or repaired visit http://historicengland.org.uk/news-and-features/first-world-war-home-front/how-can-i-get-involved/protecting-our-war-memorials/