War Memorial, St Oswald'S Churchyard

The war memorial stands in St Oswald’s Churchyard in Malpas and was erected in 1920 to commemorate those from the parish who died during the First and Second World Wars. It is constructed from red sandstone. The memorial comprises a wide, stepped octagonal plinth, above which sits an octagonal base bearing metal plaques inscribed with the names of the fallen. Five plaques commemorate those who died during the First World War (1914-1918), listing 58 names, while two plaques record the 19 names of those who died during the Second World War (1939-1945). The base plaque facing the front states 'TO THE/ HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN WHO DIED/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WARS/ 1914-1918/ 1939-1945/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ ECCLUS.XLIV.14'. Above the base rises an octagonal column capped with an elaborate, four-sided, gabled lantern featuring diagonal buttresses, crocketed detailing, and a cross finial. Shallow niches on each side of the lantern contain carved figures: a female figure likely representing Peace/Victory appears at the front, a World War One soldier to the right, a soldier in armour to the rear, and a knight to the left. All the figures have bowed heads in remembrance. The memorial’s design and construction were undertaken by Messrs Henry A Clegg & Sons, and it was unveiled on 20 February 1920 in a ceremony led by the Bishop of Chester. A meeting on 5 May 1919, led by the local Rector and Parish Council chair, decided the memorial’s form, with funding raised through public subscriptions. The memorial is an intricately carved structure that represents a prominent architectural and historic feature within the churchyard and wider village, demonstrating considerable special historic interest.