Blacko War Memorial

Blacko War Memorial is a First World War memorial constructed in 1921, with additions commemorating the Second World War. It is situated within an enclosed garden to the north of Gisburn Road.

The memorial comprises a stone obelisk rising from a square pedestal, which in turn sits upon a four-sided, tapering plinth. The plinth rests on a rusticated, coursed-stone platform, set upon a narrow, single-step base. Carved in relief to the south, east, and west faces of the obelisk are identical Latin crosses, each featuring an interlacing Celtic knotwork design. Roundels containing carved flower motifs are set between the cross arms, and a sculpted wreath appears to hang from the lower two roundels, appearing to rest in front of the crosses.

The names of ten servicemen who died in the First World War are incised upon inset panels on the pedestal, with two names on the east and west faces and six on the south face. The principal inscription is incised on the south face of the plinth and reads: “DEDICATION./ THIS CENOTAPH WAS ERECTED BY THE/ PARISHIONERS OF BLACKO TO THE HONOUR/ AND MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THE PARISH/ WHOSE NAMES ARE INSCRIBED ABOVE AND/ WHO FELL IN THE EUROPEAN WAR 1914-1918. “WHEN CAN THEIR GLORY FADE”. The Second World War commemoration is inscribed on the east face of the plinth and reads: “ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE/ MEN WHO FELL IN THE WAR/ 1939 – 1945./ (4 NAMES)”.

The memorial is centrally positioned within a paved area bordered by planting to the east, west, and north. The paving is surrounded by roughly-coursed stone retaining walls, increasing in height towards the east to respond to the sloping ground. The walls to the east and west have flat stone copings; the east wall also steps upwards at its northern end. The southern retaining wall has ashlar copings surmounted by low decorative metal railings. Steps lead up from the south to the paved area.

A flagpole, along with associated stone tablet and plaque commemorating the centenary of the First World War, is located in the south-east corner of the garden. A coursed-stone planter is situated to the south of the memorial. These later additions are not considered to be of special architectural or historical interest.