Retford War Memorial

The Retford War Memorial is a significant structure unveiled on 14 September 1921, designed by Leonard W Barnard from Cheltenham. It is made from Stancliffe stone and features bronze plaques.

The memorial is designed to resemble an Eleanor Cross and consists of a three-stepped base topped by a four-stage plinth. The upper section is intricately carved with trefoils, gargoyles, finials, and a domed cap. The first stage of the plinth has inscriptions on its lower section. The north elevation reads: "ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF RETFORD AND DISTRICT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918." The south elevation states: "THEY WILLINGLY LEFT THE UNACHIEVED PURPOSE OF THEIR LIVES IN ORDER THAT ALL SHOULD NOT BE WRENCHED FROM ITS PURPOSE." The west elevation lists distances to various battle sites, while the east elevation provides distances to locations significant to the Gallipoli campaign.

The second stage of the plinth features the names of the fallen inscribed on each face. The third stage, on the south-west elevation, reads: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN PROUD REMEMBERANCE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN FROM THIS BOROUGH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM IN THE WORLD WAR, 1939-1945," with names from the Second World War inscribed on the other seven elevations. The fourth stage includes an inscription on the east elevation commemorating the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Recently added to the lowest stage of the base are two stone boxes on the west and east sides, which bear the inscription "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM." These boxes are excluded from the listing.