First World War memorial, Ilkley Memorial Gardens

First World War memorial, 1922, by John James Joass. Cenotaph design of Portland stone

PLAN: this war memorial forms part of a memorial garden located at the west end of The Grove, Ilkley's principal shopping street. The garden has an irregular hexagonal shape with the narrowest part at the east end and the second narrowest part at the west end bordering a stream. The First World War memorial is located to the centre of the garden, at the end of a tree-lined processional path that runs east-west from a gated main entrance at the east end of the garden. Further secondary gated entrances lie on the north and south roadsides of the garden. A Second World War memorial lies on the same axis as the First World War memorial and is located towards the west end of the garden, flanked on each side by shelter pavilions (the Second World War memorial and pavilions are separately listed at Grade II).

DESCRIPTION: the First World War memorial is over 19ft high and constructed of Portland stone. It consists of a square cenotaph set upon a square plinth, which in turn is set upon a large stepped octagonal platform with concave corners and small Portland stone bollards. The base of the cenotaph incorporates blind panels, whilst the upper part consists of a slightly tapering shaft with bronze panels affixed to each face. The panels record the 183 names, rank and regiment of those killed in relief lettering; that to the east face also incorporates 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. The cenotaph is surmounted by a two handled classical urn with gadrooning to the upper part, floral swag relief decoration adorning the bowl, and foliate decoration emerging from the top in the style of flaming urns.