Whitehaven cenotaph

Whitehaven War Memorial, Castle Park, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7RF

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Overview

First World War memorial in the form of a cenotaph, 1923 with an added inscription for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1454340
Date first listed:: 15-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Whitehaven cenotaph
Statutory Address:: Whitehaven War Memorial, Castle Park, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7RF

Whitehaven Cenotaph — Uploaded by D Moore This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1454340
Date first listed:: 15-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Whitehaven cenotaph
Statutory Address 1:: Whitehaven War Memorial, Castle Park, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7RF

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Whitehaven War Memorial, Castle Park, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7RF

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Cumberland (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Whitehaven
National Grid Reference:: NX9762517940

Summary

First World War memorial in the form of a cenotaph, 1923 with an added inscription for the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Whitehaven Cenotaph, a First World War memorial sited at the entrance to Castle Park 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; * for the slightly unusual aspect for a local war memorial in that it is not inscribed with the names of the dead.

Architectural interest:

* as a well-executed design featuring good quality stonework, especially the sculptural representation of Peace.

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. One such memorial was erected just inside the entrance to Castle Park, the memorial and park being anonymously gifted to the town. The memorial cost £1,000 to build and was unveiled on 2 November 1923 by Major General Solly-Flood and dedicated by Reverend R Oliver. It is not known who designed or built the memorial, although the figure of Peace is thought to have been by a local artist. However it is thought that a lead casket was placed in the foundations containing the local Roll of Honour, a photograph of the Mayor, a coin and a local newspaper.

Details

First World War memorial in the form of a cenotaph, 1923 with an added inscription for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Darley Dale sandstone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is located just inside Castle Park, facing the main, south-western entrance. The cenotaph is in the form of a column of square section with a low pyramidal cap crowned by a wreath, with further wreath-foliage embellishment to the top and base of the column. The south-western face, facing the entrance to the park, has a relief carving of a female figure holding a wreath: a personification of Peace. Above is inscribed TO OUR/ GLORIOUS/ DEAD and at her feet 1914 – 1918. The base of the column is flared and set on a shallow step that is inscribed LEST WE FORGET. Immediately above there is an added stone of a different colour that is inscribed 1939-1945. The memorial is raised up on a plain, uninscribed base. There are no further inscriptions, the three other faces of the memorial being plain. The encircling brick kerbing is a later alteration that is not included in the listing.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum war memorial record, accessed 30/1/18 from www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/3932
War Memorials Online entry, accessed 30/1/2018 from www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/164097
Other
Newpaper report in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 3/11/23, p9

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

The listed building is shown coloured blue on the attached map. Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’), structures attached to or within the curtilage of the listed building (save those coloured blue on the map) are not to be treated as part of the listed building for the purposes of the Act.