Desford War Memorial

Desford War Memorial is a First World War memorial with a Second World War addition, located at a roadside corner where Main Street meets Church Lane, near the Church of St Martin, which is listed at Grade II*.

The memorial is made of rough-hewn grey granite and features a tall Latin cross with an inverted metal sword attached to its south face. The cross shaft tapers to a foot and rises from a four-sided tapering plinth, which is set on a two-stepped base.

On the south face of the plinth, within a smooth recessed panel, is the principal inscription along with the names of those who died in the First World War. The inscription reads "THEY DIED THAT/ WE MIGHT LIVE," flanked by the dates 1914 and 1919. Below this are the names of 15 individuals who lost their lives.

At the bottom step of the base, against the south face of the upper step, is a later wedge-shaped granite tablet that bears the Second World War dedication, listing 9 names from 1939 to 1945. All lettering on the memorial is incised and painted black.

The memorial is set on a small, semi-circular platform made of regular-coursed stone with rough-hewn stone kerbs. It is enclosed at the rear by decorative metal railings, which are painted black and topped with gold-painted urn finials.