Summary
First World War memorial, 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Keswick War Memorial, which stands in County Square, 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;
* Architectural interest: a tall and elegant memorial in the Classical style;
* Sculptural interest: with a finely carved figure of Victory by noted sculptor Francis Derwent Wood.
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: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Keswick 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 tall stone memorial is located in a triangular area of land between Penrith Road, Station Street and the River Greta. The front of the memorial faces south-west along Station Road. It takes the form of a tall pedimented pylon standing on a rectangular platform and three-stage base. The entablature below the pediment in inscribed MCMXIV - MCMXIX in incised lettering. Carved in relief on the front face of the pylon is a figure of Victory, leaning on a sheathed sword draped with laurel wreaths.
End of official list entry
