Above Derwent War Memorial
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1455058
- Date first listed:
- 11-Jun-2018
- List Entry Name:
- Above Derwent War Memorial
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1455058
- Date first listed:
- 11-Jun-2018
- List Entry Name:
- Above Derwent War Memorial
- Location Description:
- Located on a triangular green on the north side of the Old A66 between Portinscale and Braithwaite, Cumbria.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
Location
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Cumberland (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Above Derwent
- National Park:
- Lake District
- National Grid Reference:
- NY2416923700
Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled in 1921, with additional names of the Fallen added after the Second World War.
Reasons for Designation
Above Derwent war memorial, unveiled in 1921 and located to the north of the old A66 between the villages of Braithwaite and Portinscale, 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:
* as a stone wheel-headed Celtic cross, with well-executed decoration employing a Greek key pattern and Celtic knot work.
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 is known as the Above Derwent memorial, located between Braithwaite and Portinscale, which was raised as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local communities who lost their lives in the First World War.
The memorial commemorates the Fallen from Braisthwaite, Portinscale and Thornthwaite. It cost £150 and was unveiled at a ceremony on 7 August 1921 where it was dedicated by the Reverend G K Carpenter. The memorial commemorates 19 Fallen from the First World War including, unusually, a woman; Sarah Barnes. After the Second World War the names of a further 13 men were added and the memorial was re-dedicated - again by Reverend G K Carpenter - on 8 August 1948.
Details
First World War memorial unveiled in 1921, with additional names of the fallen added after the Second World War.
MATERIALS: stone
DESCRIPTION: Above Derwent War Memorial is located at the centre of a triangular plot of natural ground on the immediate north side of the old A66. It comprises a Celtic cross on a tapering shaft, set on a plinth and base. The cross has 'HIS' carved at the centre, a Greek key design around the wheel, and raised knot work decoration on the rest of the head and part of the shaft. The lower section of the shaft and the plinth bear the First World War inscriptions in incised and blackened lettering, the Second World War names were added by means of a slate tablet affixed to the front riser of the base.
The inscription reads: IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE FROM/ ABOVE DERWENT/ WHO SERVED IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 - 1918/ OF WHOM THE FOLLOWING/ GAVE THEIR LIVES/ (Names)/ 1939 - 1945/ (Names)
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 12:58:07.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.