Marton War Memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled 15 May 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Marton War Memorial, which is situated on Silver 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 made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* A well-executed Latin cross memorial.

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 Marton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The parish of Lindal and Marton erected identical memorials in each village. The memorials were funded via public subscription and cost around £226 in total for both. They were unveiled on 15 May 1921 by Mrs Shirley Jenks (who donated £100), dedicated by the Bishop of Barrow and presided over by Lieutenant Colonel W F A Wadham. The memorials were built by J Sharp of Barrow.

The Marton memorial commemorates 27 local servicemen, seven of whom died during the First World War and 20 who served and returned. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the one fallen of that conflict.

Details

First World War memorial, 1921, with later additions for the Second World War.

DESCRIPTION: Marton War Memorial is situated within an enclosed area at the centre of the village on Silver Street.

It is constructed from Stainton limestone and takes the form of a Latin cross with a two-stepped foot; a small wreath is carved in relief to the centre of the cross-head on its front (north) face. The cross rises from a tall, square plinth with a tapering cap and a square block foot with moulded top. This surmounts a single-step stone base. The whole is atop a stone block with rounded corners. All names and inscriptions are in raised leaded lettering.

To the front (north) face of the lower step of the cross foot are the dates 1914 -1919. The principal inscription is on the plinth below, IN HONOUR OF THOSE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1915/ (3 NAMES)/ 1916/ (2 NAMES)/ 1918/ (2 NAMES)/ 1939 – 1945/ (NAME). The words LEST WE FORGET are on the plinth foot below.

The east face of the plinth reads AND OF/ THOSE WHO SERVED, with the names listed below. There is a further inscription or name to the west face.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the war memorial stands within an area of hard standing with planting to either side. Stone planters* abut the base of the memorial. Modern railings* denote the front (northern) boundary of the enclosure and are set between square, regular-coursed stone piers with stepped caps situated at the east and west corners. To the rear is a curved, crenellated, rough-coursed stone wall.

* Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 31 January 2018.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 01 September 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/70189
War Memorials Register, accessed 1 September 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/4137
History of Lindal and Marton, accessed 1 September 2017 from http://www.lindal-in-furness.co.uk/History/history.htm
War Memorials Online, accessed 31 January 2018 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/209181

Other
‘Lindal and Marton Memorials’, Lancashire Evening Post (14 May 1921), pp6

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