Summary

First World War memorial with further names added after the Second World War.

Description

MATERIALS: sandstone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a c 3.6m high wheel-head cross. It is decorated with a carved fleur de lis cross in relief intertwined with the ‘IHS’ Christogram at the centre point of the cross. Decorative ropework edging is carved around the wheel.

The cross is set upon an oblong tapering shaft on an oblong tapered plinth with a projecting cornice. The southern and northern faces of the plinth feature a wreath carved in relief.

The inscription is carved on indented panels on the southern face of the plinth and reads: THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED BY THE / PEOPLE OF ALTCAR TO THE HONOUR / OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO / FOUGHT FOR GOD & KING, FREEDOM, / RIGHT & PEACE. AND IN GRATEFUL / MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR / LIVES FOR US IN THE GREAT WAR, / 1914-1918, AND WHOSE NAMES ARE / HEREON INSCRIBED.

The eastern face of the plinth is inscribed with the names of those who fell in the First World War and the western face with the names of those who fell in the Second World War.

The plinth stands on a base of two steps which also bears an inscription on the eastern face, under the First World War names on the plinth, which reads : "SEE YE TO IT THAT THESE MEN / SHALL NOT HAVE FOUGHT IN VAIN".

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 2 February 2017.

History

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 raised at Great Altcar as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was erected in 1920 by the villagers of Great Altcar through public subscription.

Following the Second World War, the names of those who lost their lives in that war were also added.

Reasons for Listing

Great Altcar War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: an ornate and striking wheel-head cross with carved decorative details;
* Group value: with St Michael and All Angels Church (Grade II*).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478041

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)