St John's Church War Memorial, Smallbridge

First World War memorial, approx 1920, with Second World War additions.

DESCRIPTION: the war memorial is located in front of the north-west elevation of the Grade II-listed Church of St John the Baptist at the end of the path along the churchyard from the Halifax Road entrance.

The cross is made from sandstone, set upon a square plinth with sloping shoulders and a two-stepped base. The north-west face of the cross is decorated with sculpted foliate ornament with 'ihs’ at the centre and edged with sculpted plaitwork. The names are inscribed on inset panels on three sides of the plinth edged with similar sculpted ropework.

At the base of the cross in ornate letters is the inscription IN/ LOVING MEMORY/ OF/ with names on the plinth below. The top step of the base carries the inscription OBEDIENT EVEN UNTO DEATH/ PRO PATRIA 1914 – 18/ ERECTED WITH SANCTUARY AND SIDE-CHAPEL/ MEMORIALS. BY THEIR FRIENDS/ OF ST JOHN’S SMALLBRIDGE.

On the south-east face of the plinth are a further four names and then Second World War additions inscribed ALSO IN MEMORY OF/ THE FOLLOWING WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES IN THE WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945/ (EIGHT NAMES).

A low bronze railing surrounds the memorial.