Ecclesfield War Memorial

Ecclesfield War Memorial stands within the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin’s Church. Constructed of limestone, it was erected to commemorate those who died in the First World War, with later additions for the Second World War and the Falklands conflict. The memorial is a four-sided wheel-head cross featuring Celtic-style knotwork designs on each face. The cross rises from a pillar, designed to resemble an altar, which in turn stands on a sloping base. The four crosses display emblems representing the four nations of the United Kingdom, while the corners of the pillar are adorned with carved symbols of the four evangelists. The south cross features discs carved with symbols of the Passion, and the north cross displays religious symbols. The pillar is inscribed with ornate lettering listing the names of the fallen, alongside dedicatory inscriptions. The First World War inscription reads: “TO THE GLORY/ OF GOD AND/ IN GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF/ ECCLESFIELD/ WHO GAVE/ THEIR LIVES/ FOR KING/ AND COUNTRY/ IN THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 1918”. Next to this is inscribed: “WE/ DIED FOR/ ENGLAND/ YOU FOR/ ENGLAND/ LIVE”. The Second World War inscription reads: “THESE ALSO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES/ 1939 – 1945/ 'AT THE GOING DOWN/ OF THE SUN/ AND IN THE MORNING/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM'”. A final inscription commemorates the Falklands conflict of 1982, including a name.