They were each considered of sufficient special architectural or historic interest to secure Grade II listing from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Ownership of the memorials resides with Barnet Council which would be responsible for any repair or maintenance work that might be needed.
Tens of thousands of war memorials across the country are being considered for listed building status, and the added protection for the three Barnet memorials follows consultation with local groups.
Arkley war memorial, at the junction of Barnet Road and Rowley Green Road, is a much-loved local land mark, and was said by Historic England to be “a simple yet dignified Celtic cross” which had group value as it was adjacent to the Grade II-listed church of St Peter, Arkley.
In response to a query from St Peter’s, which said it could not be held responsible for any financial upkeep, Historic England said the war memorial was owned by Barnet Council and maintenance was its responsibility.
In its submission, Barnet Museum and Local History Society, emphasised the respect in which all three memorials were held by the local community.
Monken Hadley memorial – described as a “simple yet attractive stone cross” – was said to be of historic interest as “an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community.”
East Barnet war memorial was installed in its current position in front of Brookside Methodist Church in 1970, after having previously been located in the middle of the junction of Church Hill Road and East Barnet Road.
It is “an imposing Celtic cross” of Cornish granite, with the front and back faces of the cross and shaft decorated in Celtic-style knot-work carvings, and was supplied by the Bodmin Granite Company, delivered free of charge by rail from the quarry direct to New Barnet station in June 1920.
Canon Overton, rector of St Mary’s church, conducted the unveiling ceremony. His wife, Mrs F. A. Overton, had overseen the project with the help of the East Barnet War Memorial Committee, at a total cost of £285.13s.10d., raised by subscriptions and donations.
As a result of research by Catherine Loveday – whose father’s name (S.F.Chapman) was added to those who lost their lives in the Second World War – a second Second World War plaque was added to the memorial after it was revealed many more local servicemen had been killed. Around 500 people attended the rededication in 2010.
