War Memorial

War Memorial, Earby

This war memorial stands in Sough Park on Colne Road. It is a First World War memorial of 1922 designed by W A Quarmby and built by Smith Brothers, with Second World War additions of 1949 designed by T Broughton and undertaken by F T Fairchild & Sons and W&R Leggott.

The memorial is constructed of white Portland stone with bronze plaques for the First World War section, and honey-coloured sandstone with bronze plaques for the Second World War additions.

The structure is an ornate cenotaph standing on an octagonal upper base which itself sits on a larger octagonal lower base. The lower base has projecting steps with low flanking walls positioned at the four cardinal points of the compass. Small flowerbeds are set on the diagonal between each range of steps and are fronted by a low retaining wall. Four Second World War memorial stones are set diagonally on the octagonal upper base, each containing a bronze plaque commemorating the names of 30 fallen in total beneath the bronze numbers '1939-1945' affixed to each stone. The First World War cenotaph contains inset panels at the four cardinal points of the compass, each holding bronze plaques commemorating the names of 166 fallen in total. Beneath each plaque there is a carved wreath in the centre of which '1914 / 1919' is carved. Fluted columns with cross-band decoration flank the upper parts of each inset panel. Above the panels the words 'THEIR / NAMES / LIVETH FOR / EVERMORE' are carved on the north, west, south and east faces of the cenotaph respectively. The cenotaph is topped by a carved octagonal roll with central cross-band decoration at each of the four cardinal points of the compass, above which are carved lion heads and a carved interpretation of the eternal flame.

The First World War memorial was conceived as the centrepiece of a new Memorial Park (later renamed Sough Park), based on that of the nearby village of Sutton-in-Craven. The park was to contain a bowling green, bandstand and children's play area, and opened in 1924. The stone laying ceremony was performed by local dignitaries on 27 August 1921 and the unveiling ceremony occurred on 8 April 1922. Second World War additions were envisaged by T Broughton, assistant surveyor to the Urban District Council. The Service of Dedication and Consecration of the Memorial Extension took place on 9 October 1949 and the unveiling ceremony was carried out by the local British Legion Branch President, Councillor Wright Firth.