Bolton Cenotaph

The Bolton Cenotaph is a war memorial erected in 1928 by the County Borough of Bolton, with sculptures added in 1932. It was designed by architect A.J. Hope, featuring bronze sculptures by Walter Marsden and cast by A.B. Burton of Thames Ditton. The memorial is made of bronze sculptures set on a Kemnay granite cenotaph.

Located to the east of Victoria Square, the cenotaph is aligned with the portico of Bolton Town Hall. It is designed in a neo-classical style with Graeco-Roman details. The structure consists of a tall pylon on a moulded base and a platform with inset steps. Projecting pedestals on either side support bronze figural sculptures. The pylon features an arch that contains a bronze cross overlaid with an inverted sword.

On the east face, a carved label above the arch reads: "TELL YE YOUR CHILDREN." The base carries the inscription: "OUR BROTHERS DIED TO WIN A BETTER / WORLD OUR PART MUST BE TO STRIVE / FOR TRUTH GOODWILL AND PEACE THAT / THEIR SELF-SACRIFICE BE NOT IN VAIN." The west face has a label inscribed "LEST WE FORGET," with the base stating: "IN UNDYING MEMORY OF THE MEN / AND WOMEN OF BOLTON WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1919." The parapet is slightly stepped and features a carved band of glyphs with corner antefixae.

The open sides of the memorial are framed by columns with palm-frond capitals and a dentilled cornice, above which are carvings of the Borough arms. On the north side, the sculpture titled "Struggle" depicts a seated female figure representing Peace, who is restraining a vigorous male Youth eager for combat, symbolizing the attitude of the country during the critical days of 1914. On the south side, the composition "Sacrifice" shows Peace with the prostrate body of the dead Youth across her lap, her hands raised in anguish.