Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1923, by Albert Toft (sculptor), and Mr W L Cookson (mason), with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: a bronze figure, granite pedestal and base, Yorkstone paving and granite memorial tablets.

PLAN: a square-plan monument situated at the centre of a round lawn, with adjacent memorial tablets, approached by a path from the rear.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises an accurate life-sized bronze figure of an infantryman, his bare head bowed in respect and his hands resting on the butt of his reversed Lee-Enfield rifle; its muzzle is placed on his left foot, and to the rear of the base, lies a Brodie steel helmet and a 1917 issue 'small box' respirator that is spilling out of its case. The figure is mounted on a square granite shaft on a tapered plinth with a bull-nosed cornice moulding, raised on a two-stepped base. The north-east (front) panel of the shaft bears a dedication in lead lettering that reads: TO OUR / GLORIOUS / DEAD / 1914-1918. The names of the 84 First World War Fallen are recorded on the remaining panels of the shaft. The memorial is approached from the rear by a path laid in Yorkstone paving slabs and curbs that also form a surround to the base. The 113 Fallen of the Second World War are commemorated by three granite tablets to the front and sides of the war memorial set in the circular lawn and taking the form of open books, with the names in lead lettering.