Summary
First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.
Reasons for Designation
Dalston War Memorial, which is situated in the churchyard of St Michael’s Church, adjacent to the lychgate, 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 sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20.
Architectural interest:
* as an elaborate and well-executed granite Celtic cross.
Group value:
* with the listed Church of St Michael (Grade II*), the Church House, Church Farmhouse, Old Vicarage, and numerous listed buildings around The Square (all Grade II).
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 Dalston as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Dalston War Memorial was situated within the churchyard. It was designed by architect, Mr J W Benwell of Carlisle, and built by Messrs Beattie and Co (Masons) and W Wilson (Builder), at a cost of about £220. The memorial was unveiled on 31 October 1920 by Colonel Inglis of Green Lane, Dalston, and dedicated by the Vicar, Canon Wilson. The memorial commemorates 30 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 12 men who fell in the Second World War.
The memorial scheme also included a Victory Hall, which opened in 1923.
Details
First World War memorial, 1920.
MATERIALS: granite.
DESCRIPTION: Dalston War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Michael’s Church, adjacent to the lychgate, on the corner of Carlisle Road (B5299) and Church Lane, Dalston, Cumbria. It is prominently situated at the churchyard entrance, on the corner of a road junction facing the village. It comprises a c.3.5m wheel-head granite cross on a square plinth with tapering cap. The cross head, wheel and shaft are elaborately incised with strap work designs, below which on the remainder of the shaft is the First World War inscription, carved in relief. The reverse of the cross head is also decorative. The reverse of the shaft bears the Second World War inscriptions in leaded lettering.
The inscription reads: IN PROUD MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THE/ PARISH OF DALSTON/ WHO FELL IN/ THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES)// LEST WE FORGET// 1939 – 1945/ (NAMES)/ MAY THEY/ REST IN/ PEACE.
