Kirkby War Memorial

The war memorial stands in the churchyard of St Chad's Church and was built around 1920 to commemorate the men of the parish who died in the First World War. It was later extended to include the names of those who died in the Second World War.

The memorial is constructed of red sandstone and comprises a wide, stepped octagonal plinth supporting a square, two-stepped base. Inscriptions on the front face (south) of the upper part of the base read "1914 - 1919" above a longer inscription commemorating the men who fought for God, King, justice, and freedom, and honouring those who did not return. The east and west faces of the base bear inscribed lists of names of those killed in the First World War, with fifteen names on each face. The rear (north) face of the upper part of the base reads "1939 - 1945", with a list of the names of those who died in the Second World War below.

A column with inset panels to the sides, featuring ball flower ornamentation (some of which was replaced after damage in 1990), rises from the base. The column is topped by a cross with carved foliage and a central circular relief depicting the head of Jesus Christ on the front, and Christ's monogram "Chi Rho" on the reverse.

The memorial was funded by public subscription and restored in November 2006 after suffering extensive damage due to vandalism in 1990, when the column and cross were pulled over. A rededication ceremony by the Armed Forces is planned for July 2007.

The war memorial is of special architectural and historic interest, notable for its intricate carvings and the unusual depiction of religious symbolism on the cross finial. It is a prominent feature of the churchyard and a valued landmark to the wider Kirkby community.