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Latitude: 54.9293 / 54°55'45"N
Longitude: -2.9246 / 2°55'28"W
OS Eastings: 340845
OS Northings: 559792
OS Grid: NY408597
Mapcode National: GBR 8C0F.MS
Mapcode Global: WH7ZX.1CLG
Plus Code: 9C6VW3HG+P4
Entry Name: Houghton War Memorial
Listing Date: 3 September 2018
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1457983
ID on this website: 101457983
Location: St John's Church, Houghton, Cumberland, Cumbria, CA6
County: Cumbria
District: Carlisle
Civil Parish: Stanwix Rural
Built-Up Area: Houghton
Traditional County: Cumberland
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Cumbria
Tagged with: War memorial
First World War memorial, 1922.
First World War memorial, 1922.
MATERIALS: grey granite.
DESCRIPTION: Houghton War Memorial is located in the churchyard of St John’s Church, Brunstock Lane, Houghton, Cumbria. It is prominently situated close to the churchyard entrance and by the path leading to the church entrance. It comprises a wheel-head grey granite cross with a sheathed sword in relief at the head, on a short shaft, two-tiered plinth and two-stepped base. The plinth and upper step of the base bear the inscriptions in relief and incised lettering.
The inscription reads: 1914 – 1918/ IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ (NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
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 Houghton as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Houghton War Memorial was situated within the churchyard. The memorial commemorates 32 local servicemen who fell in the First World War. It was made by the prolific monumental masons of Carlisle, Messrs Beattie and Co. The memorial was unveiled in April 1922.
Houghton War Memorial, which is situated in St John’s Churchyard, 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 a simple but well-executed granite cross.
Group value:
* with the Grade II-listed Church of St John and the Grade II-listed The Lodge.
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.
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