Moira War Memorial

First World War memorial, unveiled in 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: carved from sandstone.

DESCRIPTION: prominently situated facing Bath Lane the memorial comprises a two-stepped square base surmounted by a pedestal supporting an obelisk, square in section, with a moulded base. To each side of the dado are raised panels with incised inscriptions, and there are additional angled sloped panels to the front steps of the base. To the riser of the bottom step has been added a brass plaque recording the memorial’s rededication.

The shaft of the obelisk is inscribed ‘1914 – 1918’.

The principal dedicatory inscription is inscribed to the front (north-east) face of the dado and reads:

TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND / MEN OF THE MOIRA COLLIERY COY. LTD., / THE DONISTHORPE COLLIERY COY. LTD., / THE DONINGTON SANITARY PIPE & FIRE BRICK COY. LTD., / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR. / THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS / MOIRA COLLIERIES / (NAMES)

To the south-east face is inscribed:

CHURCH-GRESLEY COLLIERY / (NAMES)

To the rear (south-west) face is inscribed:

DONISTHORPE COLLIERY / (NAMES)

To the north-east face is inscribed:

DONISTHORPE COLLIERY / (NAMES) / THE DONINGTON SANITARY PIPE & FIRE BRICK COY. LTD / (NAMES)

The sloped stone plaque to the top step of the base is inscribed:

IN MEMORY OF / (NAMES) / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 / GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

The sloped stone plaque to the bottom step of the base is inscribed:

IN MEMORY OF / (NAMES) / WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945 / GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

The brass plaque added to the riser of the bottom step bears the inscription:

ORIGINALLY ERECTED BY / THE MOIRA COAL COMPANY TO COMMEMORATE / THOSE FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN THE 1914 - 1918 WAR / HAVING PASSED INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF / THE ASHBY WOULDS TOWN COUNCIL THE / MONUMENT WAS UPGRADED AND RE-DEDICATED / AS A WAR MEMORIAL FOR THE VILLAGE OF / MOIRA ON 11TH NOVEMBER 2000.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 21 December 2022 to update the date of construction