War Memorial

The war memorial stands near Appleton Thorn, dating to approximately 1921 and constructed from sandstone. A later inscription commemorates the Second World War. The memorial consists of an octagonal column set upon a stepped square base and plinth, topped with a capital shaped like a dragon. An elaborate Neo-Gothic tabernacle finial rises above, containing a figure of a knight, likely St George, which is a carbon fibre replacement of the original bronze statue stolen in 1988.

The lower step of the plinth bears the inscription "Let us so live that they shall not have died in vain" in a medieval transcript style. The octagonal base commemorates eight soldiers lost during the First World War on the north, south, and east faces, using gold lettering. An inscription on the rear (west) face reads "To the glory of God and in grateful remembrance of those of this township who gave their lives in the service of their country 1914-1919." The fluted octagonal column’s base is inscribed on the east face in embossed lettering with the names “1939-1945 Stewart Broome, Walter Green, Ernest Smith."

The memorial was commissioned by the Civil Parish of Appleton and unveiled on 12th November 1921, with a ceremony led by Lt Col Charles Lyon of Appleton Park, whose son is among those commemorated. The dedication was conducted by the Hon Canon C F Cross, Rural Dean. It was designed by local architect Captain Frederick Jardine Barnish. The memorial commemorates men connected to the village lost in both the First and Second World Wars. The site includes paved areas, steps, and two low rubble walls forming a platform and gateway.