Monkton War Memorial

The Monkton War Memorial is a First World War memorial made of sandstone, designed in the shape of a St. Cuthbert's cross. It features an embossed central boss with the dates 1914 and 1918. The cross has a tapering shaft that sits on a chamfered rectangular plinth, which is placed on a chamfered base.

The main inscription on the front reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY/ OF THE MEN FROM MONKTON DISTRICT/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR./ 'MAY THEY REST IN PEACE'." There is an inscription on one side that states: "GRANT LORD, THAT WE/ FULL WORTHY BE/ OF THESE / OUR LOVED-OUR SACRIFICED." The base has the inscription: "IN THANKFULNESS TO GOD/ FOR THE SAFE RETURN/ OF THOSE FROM MONKTON DISTRICT/ WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR." The back of the memorial features the inscription: "GRANT THAT THEY MAY LIVE TO SEE/ FRUITS OF THEIR VICTORY/ ALL NATIONS DRAWN TO THEE."

The names of 20 fallen soldiers are recorded on the front face, while the names of those who served are listed in two columns on the sides and back. At the foot of each side of the memorial, there is a polished granite tile set on a sandstone base, which bears a transcript of the eroded face above.

This memorial was erected through public subscription and was unveiled on February 5, 1921, with dedication by Bishop Ormsby. It has been recently restored and was rededicated on October 22, 2005. War memorials like this one hold significant historical and cultural importance at both local and national levels, and this example serves as a notable tribute to those who died in the First World War.