Buersil and Balderstone War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, 1928, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Buersil and Balderstone War Memorial, situated at the junction of Oldham Road and Platting Lane, 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 tall and dignified war memorial cross.

History

Buersil and Balderstone War Memorial was designed and executed by J Child & Son at a cost of £1400. It was unveiled by Councillor Hardman and dedicated by the Rev CR Thomas in August 1928, commemorating the 127 local servicemen who died fighting during the First World War. Following the Second World War, inscriptions were added to commemorate those 35 who fell in that conflict.

Details

The memorial stands at the junction of Oldham Road and Platting Lane, enclosed by ornamental railings. It stands directly in front of a small drinking fountain that forms part of the stone wall enclosing a lawned area to the north. Built of granite, the memorial is c4m tall and consists of a Latin cross head on a rectangular tapering shaft. That stands on a tapering, rectangular, plinth with rounded edges placed on a rectangular base. The base stands on a low granite step. The centre of the cross head is decorated with a rose carved in low relief.

On the front face at foot of the shaft is the inscription TO THE/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD/ 1914 – 1918. The front and rear faces of the base bear the inscriptions THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE. The names of those who fell in the First World War are listed on the four faces of the plinth, each of which also bears an inscription reading 1914 – 1918. In addition, an inscription on the rear of the shaft reads TO THE/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD/ 1939 – 1945/ (35 NAMES). These inscriptions are in attached metal letters, painted black. A small, sloping, plaque placed on the step at the front of the memorial bears an incised inscription that reads TO ALL THOSE/ WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE/ OF/ THEIR COUNTRY.

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, 30 January 2017.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 15/06/2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/13079
Rochdale Borough Council – War Memorials in the Township of Rochdale, accessed 15/06/2015 from http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/pdf/2014-02-17-ROCHDALEv2.pdf
War Memorials Online, accessed 30 January 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/110701

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