First World War memorial, Ilkley Memorial Gardens

The First World War memorial, built in 1922 by John James Joass, is located in Ilkley Memorial Gardens. This memorial features a cenotaph design made of Portland stone and is situated at the center of a memorial garden that has an irregular hexagonal shape. The garden is positioned at the west end of The Grove, Ilkley's main shopping street, and includes a tree-lined processional path that runs east-west from a gated entrance at the east end. There are additional gated entrances on the north and south sides of the garden. A Second World War memorial, also on the same axis, is located towards the west end and is flanked by shelter pavilions, which are separately listed.

The First World War memorial stands over 19 feet high and consists of a square cenotaph on a square plinth, which is set on a large stepped octagonal platform with concave corners and small Portland stone bollards. The base of the cenotaph features blind panels, while the upper part has a slightly tapering shaft with bronze panels on each face. These panels display the names, ranks, and regiments of 183 individuals who lost their lives, with the east face also featuring the inscription: "TO THE GALLANT/ MEN OF ILKLEY/ WHO FELL IN THE/ GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ THIS MEMORIAL/ IS DEDICATED/ LET THOSE WHO COME/ AFTER SEE TO IT THAT THEIR/ NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN." At the top of the cenotaph is a classical urn with two handles, decorated with gadrooning, floral swag relief on the bowl, and foliate designs resembling flaming urns.