Summary
First World War memorial, with later additions for the Second World War.
Description
The polished grey granite memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed), beside the path leading to the south porch. It is in close proximity to numerous Grave II-listed churchyard monuments. It comprises a Classical vase with two krater-like handles and etched decoration standing on the pedimented top of a stele, square on plan. The stele has a two-stage base and the whole is set on a square concrete platform.
The front faces of the pediments are etched with decorative foliage motifs, while the top and bottom of the stele are encircled by an incised pattern echoing the form of metopes. The principal dedicatory inscription, incised to the front face of the stele, reads SACRED/ TO THE MEMORY/ OF THE MEN/ OF MIDDLETON/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR/ LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919/ 'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN/ HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS'/ JOHN 15: 13. The commemorated First World War names are listed to either side of the stele, whilst, to the rear, the Second World War inscription reads 1939-1945/ (NAMES).
The memorial is enclosed by a metal rail carried by eight low ornamental iron posts.
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. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also 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 Middleton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It commemorates 30 local servicemen who died in the First World War. The names of four men who died in the Second World War were added to the memorial after that conflict.
Reasons for Listing
Middleton War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* a decorated war memorial in the Classical style, in granite, forming a strong visual contrast to the carstone rubble walling of the church to the rear.
Group value:
* with the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed) and numerous Grade II-listed churchyard monuments.
External Links
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
Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)