Summary
First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Irthlingborough War Memorial, on Finedon Road, 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 sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: a sandstone column of some elaboration in the Classical style.
History
The memorial, commissioned by a War Memorial Committee to commemorate the 151 local servicemen who died fighting during the First World War, was unveiled on 13 November 1921. Sir W Ryland Adkins KC MP delivered an oration at the ceremony. A location at the end of Manton Road had been favoured in a referendum of townspeople, but the memorial was built on Finedon Road. The names of those who died serving in the Second World War were added at a later date.
Details
The war memorial stands in a small enclosure on the south-west side of Finedon Road, some way out of central Irthlingborough. Overall the memorial is c8m tall. In limestone, it takes the form of a fluted, circular, column topped with a ball finial, from which rises an ornate metal cross. The finial stands on an urn-shaped pedestal, each side of which is decorated with the flower symbols of the United Kingdom, carved in low relief and gilded.
End of official list entry
