Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Broomhaugh and Riding Mill War Memorial, which stands in the cemetery, 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: an elegant memorial cross in the Celtic style decorated with well-carved interlace ornament.
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 Riding Mill 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 war memorial stands to the southern side of the cemetery. It takes the form of a wheel-head cross c4.5m tall in sandstone from the Windy Nook quarries. The front face of the cross head is decorated with interlace patterns carved in relief. The foot of the cross shaft rises from a tapering pedestal, which stands on a two-stepped base. There is a short and curving low coped brick wall to the rear.
End of official list entry
