War Memorial At Former Horwich Locomotive Works

This is a First World War memorial, with additions commemorating the Second World War, dating from 1921. It is located by Chorley New Road in Horwich, at the entrance to the former Horwich Locomotive Works. The memorial consists of a marble statue of a uniformed soldier, in a relaxed pose and holding a rifle, standing on a granite pedestal mounted on a granite plinth. The whole structure stands on a chamfered concrete base. The pedestal is inscribed on three sides with the names and ranks of the deceased. The fourth side, facing Chorley New Road, is engraved with the dedication "TO THE / EVERLASTING MEMORY / OF OUR GLORIOUS DEAD / 1914-1918 / ERECTED BY / HORWICH LOCO WORKS / EMPLOYEES,” followed by 17 names and ranks. A plaque affixed to the concrete base reads "DONATED TO THE / PEOPLE / OF HORWICH / BY / PARKFIELD CASTINGS - HORWICH / 19 OCTOBER 1989.” The memorial is enclosed on three sides by iron railings. The memorial was designed by the Accrington sculptor Paul Fairclough and funded by subscriptions from the workers at the locomotive works after the First World War; it was unveiled on 27 August 1921 by George Hughes. Minor improvement works were carried out in 2010. The memorial is notable for its architectural and historic interest, being a well-designed example of a First World War memorial with Second World War additions, made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and commemorating employees of the Horwich Locomotive Works and local residents who died in both wars.