Unsworth War Memorial

The Unsworth War Memorial is a First World War memorial built in 1923, with additional names commemorating those who died in the Second World War. It is constructed from pale cream stone and stands within a small green, enclosed on two sides by early railings and a gateway.

The memorial takes the form of an octagonal cross set on a stepped base. The octagonal base has two steps, with a chamfered plinth to the lower step. Above this is a stepped podium with a moulded plinth, moulded upper edge, and flat top. The cross stands on this podium, with a moulded and chamfered foot. The tapering shaft and arms are also octagonal, with pointed pommels similar to those at the top of the shaft. The overall design evokes a sword, and on the front face (facing northwest) is a carved relief of a sword with a laurel wreath. Triangular projections fill each angle of the cross.

Inscriptions are carved into the podium and base using well-crafted, serifed lettering. The front (northwest) panel of the podium is inscribed with a dedication to those who died in the Great War (1914-1918), preceded by "THIS CROSS/ WAS ERECTED BY THE/ PEOPLE OF UNSWORTH/ AS A TOKEN OF DEEP/ GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO/ LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES." Beneath this are the names of 60 individuals listed alphabetically by surname, without ranks. The perimeter of the base below these names lists the theatres of war, beginning with France and continuing anti-clockwise to include Salonica, Mesopotamia, Italy, Egypt, Jutland, Gallipoli, and Belgium. On the top step of the base, three risers bear the names of the eight individuals who died in the Second World War (1939-1945), listed alphabetically, with the dates 1939-1945 inscribed on the central riser of the lower step.