Thornton in Lonsdale War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, designed by James Swallow c1922, with a further name added after the Second World War

Reasons for Designation

Thornton in Lonsdale War Memorial, designed by James Swallow c1922, 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 community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Design: an elegant and striking cross sited within its own well-executed enclosure;
* Group value: with St Oswald's Church (Grade II*), the Marton Arms Inn (Grade II) and the stocks (Grade II).

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, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and 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 Thornton in Lonsdale as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the six members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was designed c1922 by James Swallow.

Following the Second World War, the name of one who fell in that conflict was added.

In 2011 the memorial was conserved with the help of grant aid from War Memorials Trust.

Details

MATERIALS: Stone cross and metal railings.

DESCRIPTION: Thornton in Lonsdale war memorial is in the form of a stone Maltese cross with a carved circular detail at its centre. The cross rises from a tapered shaft which is set upon a rectangular plinth. The front face of the plinth bears the incised inscription with painted black lettering which reads: IN MEMORY OF/ (NAMES)/ OF THIS PARISH/ WHO DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. The east side face reads: WORLD WAR II/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAME AND REGIMENT)/ WE WILL REMEMBER.

The memorial is set upon a three-stepped base with the upper step bearing the inscription: “YE HAVE ENTERED INTO THEIR LABOURS.”

The memorial is sited with a paved enclosure defined by a low stone wall and railings.

The access steps are, however, not of special interest and are excluded from the listing.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/47379
War Memorials Online, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/77556
War Memorials Trust, accessed 12 July 2016 from www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=921

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