War Memorial

The war memorial was erected in 1921, designed by Brierley and Rutherford. It stands in the corner of the churchyard of St Andrew's Church, opposite the entrance to the Archbishop's Palace, in Bishopthorpe.

The memorial consists of a floriated cross head atop a tapering stone column, approximately 2 metres high, which stands on a tapered stone plinth. Two steps form the base. A small enclosure surrounds the whole structure. Near the base of the column is a cusped niche with crocketed finials, containing a carved stone statuette of St George and the Dragon. The front face of the plinth bears an inscription commemorating 14 men of the parish who died in the Great War (1914-1919), reading: IN MEMORY OF/ (14 NAMES)/ MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919/ LET THESE MEN BE HERE REMEMBERED IN THANKFULNESS & HONOUR. The west face lists 10 names of those who died in the Second World War (1939-1945), with the inscription: (10 NAMES)/ WHO ALSO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE/ RENEWED FIGHT FOR FREEDOM/ 1939-1945. The names and this second part of the inscription were added after the Second World War. The east face includes the inscription: WE PRAY THEE HELP THY/ SERVANTS WHOM THOU/ HAST REDEEMED WITH/ THY PRECIOUS BLOOD.

The memorial was unveiled by the Archbishop of York on 22nd May 1921. Walter Brierley, a well-known architect from York, collaborated with Rutherford, a local architect, on the design. The memorial is designated at Grade II for its poignant reminder of tragic events, its well-designed form by a recognised architect, the quality of its materials and craftsmanship, and for its group value with surrounding buildings, particularly the church, Archbishop's Palace, and its association with the Archbishop of York.