Summary
First World War memorial, 1920 by James Wilding LRIBA, with additions for later conflicts.
Reasons for Designation
Runcorn War Memorial, which stands in the memorial garden, is 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 has made in the conflicts of the C20 and C21;
* Architectural interest: a tall and imposing memorial cross standing on a wide platform designed for ceremonial use defined by a memorial wall to the rear.
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 Runcorn as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The memorial stands in a garden to the south of the junction of Moughland Lane, Weston Road and Greenway Road and is approached from the roadway by a set of steps. The cross takes the form of a three-stepped octagonal base supporting a plinth, upon which stands a Latin cross, the shaft of which stands c3.5m tall. The foot of the cross shaft is clasped by scrolled brackets.
End of official list entry
