Hoghton War Memorial

First World War memorial, unveiled 1924, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: limestone.

DESCRIPTION: the limestone monument comprises a wayside cross on an octagonal shaft with plinth and four-stepped base. Each square step has a segmental central projection and chamfered nosing, the upper step having a hollow chamfer. The square plinth rises to become octagonal with decorative finials on the angles. The shaft has a moulded foot and is slightly fluted with ring mouldings to its capital. The square shrine is supported by four angels and has a pitched roof with sprocketed eaves, and angle buttresses.

The shrine faces east towards Hoghton Tower, with a crucifixion surrounded by cusped tracery. The north and south faces have blind cusped tracery and a shield with garlands. The west face has a niche with cusped tracery and a statue of St George.

Each face of the plinth bears a slate plaque into which the inscriptions have been carved in relief. The eastern inscription reads IN MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF HOGHTON WHO/ FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ A.D. 1914 – 1918/ 1915/ (3 NAMES).

The north face reads 1916/ (1 NAME)/ 1917/ (2 NAMES)/ 1918/ (2 NAMES), while the south face reads 1918/ (6 NAMES)/ 1919/ (2 NAMES)/ DIED OF WOUNDS 1923. The west face reads AND IN MEMORY OF THE/ MEN OF HOGHTON WHO FELL/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR/ A.D. 1939 – 1945/ (3 NAMES)/ THEY DIED THAT WE/ MIGHT LIVE IN FREEDOM.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the memorial stands on a circular area of setts, with a cobbled rear bank descending to a semi-circular path and low stone wall with hog’s-back copings, and punctuated by square pillars. Hexagonal stone bollards define the front boundary.