Five First World War wall-mounted memorial plaques in St Albans have been awarded a Grade II listing.

The listing was awarded by the Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England, following an application by St Albans District Council.

They form part of a unique group of 10 memorial plaques located in streets within the parish of St Albans Abbey.

Each plaque lists the names of men who died in the war and who lived in the street in which they are located.

The plaques are unusual because they are attached to the homes of some of men who lost their lives in the war.

As such, they offer a private memorial compared to monuments more usually found in prominent locations.

Three of the 10 plaques were listed some time ago.

The five newly-listed plaques were awarded Grade II status as part of Historic England’s project to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The public body that looks after England’s historic environment is aiming to add 2,500 war memorials to the National Heritage List of England (NHLE) by 2019.

Four of the newly-listed plaques are located in Albert Street, Lower Dagnall Street, Pageant Road and Sopwell Lane.

The fifth plaque is on the corner of Bardwell Road and Thorpe Road. The houses providing wall mounts for the plaques are not included in the listing.

These memorial plaques are among 40 war memorials in St Albans.

Leader of the council, Julian Daly, said: “St Albans is steeped in history and the Grade II listing for these five war memorials highlights the importance of our heritage.

"These plaques provide a moving memorial to the tragic impact of world events on ordinary people and the sacrifices the community made during the First World War.”

Tony Calladine, Historic England’s Head of Designation for the East of England, said: "We are pleased that these rare war memorial plaques have been listed at Grade II.

"This is part of a Historic England (previously English Heritage) scheme to list up to 2,500 war memorials over the next five years to mark the centenary of the First World War.

"Built in the years following the conflict, they are a poignant, physical reminder of the terrible sacrifices and loss the First World War brought about.”

As part of the national First World War commemorations, a Victoria Cross commemorative stone was also laid at St Peter’s Street war memorial this year.

This was in honour of St Albans-born Private Edward Warner who was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery after successfully defending a trench from attack.