Summary

First World War memorial, dedicated 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. Stone column surmounted by a cross, set on a stone podium.

Description

First World War memorial, dedicated 1920, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: granite.

The Bamford war memorial is situated on the N side of Bury and Rochdale Old Road, on the pavement in front of the entrance steps to the churchyard of the Church of St Michael. It comprises a square stone shaft raised on a pedestal and a two-stepped podium, surmounted by a Latin cross with recessed panels and decorated by a central knot; the base of the cross is decorated by a Laurel wreath. The shaft has a recessed panel containing a sheathed broadsword carved in relief; it stands on a convex square base. The front panel (SE) of the pedestal is recessed with a raised dedication that reads TO THE / MEMORY OF / THOSE WHO HAVE / FALLEN IN THE / GREAT WAR / 1914 – 1918 / R.I.P. A dedication that reads 1939 – 1945 is inscribed into the convex surface of the cross base. The 49 names of the Fallen of the First and Second World Wars are inscribed and painted into the convex surface of the base, the plain cornice of the pedestal, the three side panels, and the sides of the top step of the podium.

History

Bamford War Memorial was created as a memorial to the men of the town who fell during the First World War. The first meeting to plan for the erection of the memorial took place on 23 February 1919, it was completed at a cost of £108, and it was dedicated on 9 May 1920. Following the Second World War it was also dedicated to the fallen of that conflict. The memorial was originally sited in the church yard to the W of the Church of St Michael, but was subsequently moved to its present location at the base of the entrance steps to the church yard.

Reasons for Listing

Bamford War Memorial, dedicated 9 May 1920, 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;
* Design interest: it is a dignified monument in the form of a Latin cross, executed in good quality materials, which provides an elegant and fitting tribute to the Fallen of the town from both World Wars.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478278

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover