Summary
First World War memorial cross and Second World War memorial seat.
Reasons for Designation
Rainow War Memorial Cross and Seat, standing in the memorial garden on Tower Hill, are 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: an elegant memorial cross and sensitively-designed memorial seat both built in a local stone;
* Group value: with the Grade II-listed buildings of Tower Hill Farm.
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. One such memorial was raised at Rainow as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 37 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was designed and built by Andrew Sutton (d1921), local stone mason and sub-postmaster. Following the Second World War a stone memorial seat was built into the memorial garden, behind the memorial cross. This commemorates the seven local men who died in that conflict.
Details
The war memorial cross stands in a small garden to the south side of Tower Hill, opposite the Grade II-listed buildings of Tower Hill Farm. Built of Kerridge stone, the c6m tall cross comprises a small wheel-head cross rising from a tapered octagonal shaft. The moulded and decorated shaft foot stands on a tapering pedestal. The pedestal stands on a two-stage base, which stands on a low step.
End of official list entry
