Ainsdale War Memorial

Ainsdale War Memorial is made of Stoke Hall stone and features a Celtic-style wheel-head cross atop a tapering shaft, which is adorned with carved interlacing knot work in relief on both sides. The horizontal arms of the cross are inscribed with the dates 1914-1919. This cross stands on a tapering square plinth that is set on a three-stepped base, with all inscriptions made in lead lettering.

On the rear of the plinth, there is an inscription that reads: TRUE LOVE/ BY LIFE -/ TRUE LOVE/ BY DEATH -/ IS TRIED;/ LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND/ WE FOR ENGLAND DIED. The names of those who fell in the First World War are listed in alphabetical order on the remaining three sides of the plinth, preceded by the date 1914-1918. An inscription on the top step of the plinth before the first list of names states: REMEMBER.

The top two steps of the base contain the inscription: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS/ THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. ERECTED BY THE RESIDENTS,/ AS A MARK OF RESPECT AND AFFECTION. A later dedication on the rear face of the shaft reads: IN MEMORY OF/ THOSE WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES/ IN THE SECOND/ WORLD WAR/ 1939 – 1945.

The lower step includes additional names of the fallen from both the First and Second World Wars, as well as from later conflicts. The memorial is situated within a paved enclosure that is surrounded by low dry-stone walls topped with stone capping, and it features stone pillars and an iron gate at the entrance.