Halesowen War Memorial

The Halesowen War Memorial is a churchyard memorial cross dedicated to those who fell in both World Wars. It was unveiled in September 1921 and designed by Sir Harold Brakspear.

Constructed from red sandstone ashlar, the monument features bronze plaques. It consists of a freestanding cross with an octagonal shaft, set on a base and stepped plinth. The cross stands on an octagonal platform surrounded by a low wall, which is higher on the south, south-eastern, and eastern sides. This wall has rectangular bronze plaques displaying the names of the fallen.

The main front faces northwest and is accessed by a flight of five steps, flanked by low walls with chamfered tops. The steps lead to the octagonal platform, where the memorial cross is located. The cross has a two-step plinth, each topped with a low wrought iron railing, which appears to be a later addition. The cross features a moulded base and an octagonal shaft that rises to a decorative band beneath the large cross, which has crockets at the angles. The south-east side of the cross mirrors this design.

The angled walling on the south-east side, adorned with plaques, is higher at the center and topped with a band of carved foliage. Below this is a plaque that reads: ‘TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE / MEN OF HALESOWEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1919 AND IN THE WORLD WAR OF 1939-1945 / FOR THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE AND FREEDOM’. The rear of the walled enclosure is plain ashlar.