Mirfield war memorial

Mirfield war memorial was erected in 1921, designed by Hicks and Charlewood, to commemorate those who died in the First World War. Later additions record the names of those killed during the Second World War. The memorial consists of a carved limestone cross set against a curved screen wall made of red brick and sandstone.

The memorial is located in the northeast corner of Ings Grove Park and is designed in the style of an Anglo-Saxon high cross. The cross has a tapered shaft and is richly decorated. The front face depicts a stylized tree of life with animals and birds, and knotwork to the head of the cross. Knotwork is repeated on the rear face of the cross head, while the shaft itself is plain. The cross stands on a rectangular base with shaped sides. The front (southwestern) face of the base bears the inscription “IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF/ THE MEN OF MIRFIELD/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE/ SERVICE OF THEIR KING & COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919/ AND THE WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945.” The rear (northeastern) face bears the inscription “RE-DEDICATED IN GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF ALL THOSE/ WHO HAVE FALLEN OR SUFFERED/ IN THE/ SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY/ SINCE 1945/ 26 JUNE 2010.”

Behind the cross stands a tall, curved screen wall constructed of red brick with sandstone dressings. It is topped with sandstone copings and features four rusticated piers with sandstone bases and shaped caps, from which the finials have been lost. The wall's front (southwestern) face has eight blind windows with brick lintels and sandstone sills, each containing a bronze plaque listing the names of those killed during the two world wars. The three outer plaques on each side record the names of those who died in the First World War, and the two central plaques record those who died in the Second World War. Originally, the wall consisted of two detached curved wing walls flanked by the piers and with six blind windows and plaques, but after the Second World War, a brick section was added to connect the wings and provide space for two further blind windows and plaques commemorating those who died in the Second World War. The rear of the wall is plain, except for the rusticated piers.

The garden area surrounding the memorial has been modified from its original design. Historic photographs show it was initially landscaped with a mixture of paving, planted areas, raised beds, and hedging on stepped terraces. The area is now largely paved, with some ground levels raised and tarmac added to improve accessibility.