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Latitude: 54.5463 / 54°32'46"N
Longitude: -3.5841 / 3°35'2"W
OS Eastings: 297625
OS Northings: 517940
OS Grid: NX976179
Mapcode National: GBR 3HDW.V1
Mapcode Global: WH5Z1.XZGL
Plus Code: 9C6RGCW8+G9
Entry Name: Whitehaven cenotaph
Listing Date: 15 March 2018
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1454340
ID on this website: 101454340
Location: Whitehaven, Cumberland, Cumbria, CA28
County: Cumbria
District: Copeland
Civil Parish: Whitehaven
Built-Up Area: Whitehaven
Traditional County: Cumberland
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Cumbria
Tagged with: Architectural structure War memorial
First World War memorial in the form of a cenotaph, 1923 with an added inscription for the Second World War.
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.
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.
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.
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