Gainford War Memorial

The York stone memorial stands in the churchyard of the church of St Mary (Grade I), in close proximity to a number of other listed structures including 27 and 28 Low Green (Grade II). It takes the form of a tall cross in the early medieval style. The front face of the cross head and the upper part of the cross shaft are decorated with complex interlace patterns carved in low relief.

Below the lower panel of interlace, the principal dedicatory inscription reads THESE MEN OF/ GAINFORD PARISH/ LAID DOWN THEIR/ LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918. The lettering is raised, in a rectangular panel. The commemorated names are listed below, ordered by Service, and are incised into the stone. A small stone at the foot of the memorial cross carries the Second World War dedication, reading 1939 – 1945/ (6 NAMES).

The cross stands on a low rectangular step and is surrounded by an octagonal kerb that defines a flower-bed.

This List entry has been amended to add sources for War Memorials Online and the War Memorials Register. These sources were not used in the compilation of this List entry but are added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 2017.