War memorial outside All Saints' Church, Marple

The Hopton Wood stone memorial cross stands outside the west front of the New Church of All Saints (Grade II), close to the lychgate and south of the remains of the old church (both Grade II-listed). It takes the form of a tall Celtic cross standing on a broad plinth. The plinth carries three bronze plaques.

The wheel-head cross is ornamented in an interlace pattern carved in relief in the circlet, and a rose at the centre of the cross head. Below, on the upper face of the cross shaft, is an intricate carving of the Tree of Life. Panels, carved in relief lower down on the cross shaft to front and rear, include a pattern reminiscent of heraldic vair. Smaller panels with this decorative motif are also carved to the shaft sides.

The cross shaft rises from a socket stone inscribed: (west face) THEIR NAME/ LIVETH FOR/ EVERMORE, (south face) WHO STANDS/ IF FREEDOM/ FALL, (north face) WHO DIES/ IF ENGLAND/ LIVE.

The east face of the broad corniced base, rectangular on plan, is incised with a dedication reading: THIS MONUMENT/ IS ERECTED BY A GRATEFUL TOWNSHIP AND/ MANY SORROWING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS/ 1919/ THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH/ REV: 12: 11. The principal dedicatory inscription cast into the west-facing bronze panel reads: TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MARPLE MEN/ WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918 A.D./ (NAMES). Further names are recorded on the north- and south-facing plaques.

The plinth stands on a stepped base, with three steps to the front and two to the rear (to accommodate the fall of ground), and a paved platform. Low stone posts carrying a chain encircle the cross.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Register. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 20 July 2017.