Middleton War Memorial

The polished grey granite memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary (Grade II*-listed), beside the path leading to the south porch. It is in close proximity to numerous Grave II-listed churchyard monuments. It comprises a Classical vase with two krater-like handles and etched decoration standing on the pedimented top of a stele, square on plan. The stele has a two-stage base and the whole is set on a square concrete platform.

The front faces of the pediments are etched with decorative foliage motifs, while the top and bottom of the stele are encircled by an incised pattern echoing the form of metopes. The principal dedicatory inscription, incised to the front face of the stele, reads SACRED/ TO THE MEMORY/ OF THE MEN/ OF MIDDLETON/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR/ LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1919/ 'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN/ THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN/ HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS'/ JOHN 15: 13. The commemorated First World War names are listed to either side of the stele, whilst, to the rear, the Second World War inscription reads 1939-1945/ (NAMES).

The memorial is enclosed by a metal rail carried by eight low ornamental iron posts.