Summary

First World War memorial, 1921, with Second World War additions.

Description

First World War memorial, 1921.

MATERIALS: grey granite.

DESCRIPTION: Ireby War Memorial is located in the churchyard of the Church of St James, Ireby, Cumbria. It is prominently situated centrally on the outside of the east wall with the east window of the church, facing the churchyard and the road passing by. It comprises an approximately 2.5m polished Celtic cross with knotwork carving to the head, on a tapering polished shaft and set upon a tapering, four-sided plinth with moulded upper. The shaft and plinth bear the inscriptions in incised lettering.

The inscription is in incised lettering and reads TO/ THE MEMORY OF/ THE MEN/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE WAR/ 1914 – 18/ (NAMES)/ AND IN THE WAR/ 1939 – 45/ (NAMES)// PRO PATRIA.

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

Ireby War Memorial was situated within the churchyard, to the outside of the east wall of the church and facing the main road that passes by in front. The memorial was unveiled on the 12 June 1921 by Mr Robert Holder. The memorial commemorates seven local servicemen who fell in the First World War and four men who fell in the Second World War.

Reasons for Listing

Ireby War Memorial, which is situated in St James’s 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 this local community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* as a simple but well-executed granite cross.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66479776

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.

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