Summary
First World War memorial, 1920, with additions for later conflict.
Reasons for Designation
Victoria Street War Memorial, Newton, which stands at the junction of Victoria Street and Cartwright Street 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 memorial in the Classical style including the statue of an infantryman.
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 Victoria Street as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the district who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The c3.6m tall sandstone memorial stands at the junction of Victoria Street and Cartwright Street. It is raised on a square coursed stone block in a small garden surrounded by iron railings. The memorial takes the form of a three-stage base, square on plan, supporting a tall plinth. The plinth is capped with a pediment. Carved in relief on the west facing side of the pediment is a be-ribboned wreath. Incised into the ribbon on the left of the wreath is 1914 with 1919 to the right. The pedestal is surmounted by a bronze statue of a fully-equipped soldier, carrying his rifle. The original life-sized statue was made of Portland stone but has been replaced with a bronze replica.
End of official list entry
