Gorton and Abbey Hey War Memorial

This is a First World War memorial, erected around 1920, with dates commemorating the Second World War added after 1945. The memorial is constructed from pink granite and has a square plan. It stands approximately five metres tall and faces north.

The memorial consists of a square pillar with a moulded base and capital, topped by a short circular column culminating in a Tudor crown finial. The finial sits on a short, fluted column with a moulded capital and foot, which is set on an octagonal base. A moulded cornice sits above the main pillar's capital, framing a semi-circular arch containing a laurel wreath. Inscribed on the face of the cornice is "IN MEMORIAM". Below this is a frieze with three triglyphs featuring Lancashire roses interspersed between them. The pillar itself is engraved with the names of those who died, with 29 names listed alphabetically by surname and Christian name on the north face, alongside their ranks and decorations. The lettering is in a Gothic style and painted gold.

The pillar’s base is two-stepped and moulded. The upper step is inscribed: “IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY,” while the lower step reads: “THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919/ 1939-1945.” An additional two names are inscribed on the chamfered top of the upper step, and four on the lower step.

The other faces are similarly designed. The west face has 29 names on the pillar face, with one on the upper step and four on the lower step. The upper step is inscribed: "THEIR BRIGHT SPIRITS STILL TENANT THE/ HEARTS OF THOSE WHO LOVED THEM," and the lower step: "VICTORY." The south face has 30, 2 and 4 names, with corresponding inscriptions reading: "THEY PASSED OUT OF THE SIGHT OF MAN BY/ THE PATH OF DUTY AND SELF SACRIFICE” and “LIBERTY.” Finally, the east face has 29, 2 and 4 names and inscriptions reading: “LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE TO IT THAT/ THESE NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN” and “PEACE.” A total of 117 names are inscribed on the pillar’s faces, with a further 23 names on the base, bringing the total to 140.