World War I Memorial At Cartmel Grange

World War I Memorial at Cartmel Grange

A First World War memorial of approximately 1919, architect unknown. The memorial is made of concrete and features a standing male soldier at about three-quarters life size, dressed in First World War uniform and cap, holding a rifle at ease in his right hand. The soldier stands on a flat round base which sits atop a moulded rectangular base. The entire structure is raised on a wider rectangular concrete base with a modern polished marble inscribed plaque attached to its front reading 'PRESENTED / BY THE / NORMANTON CENTRAL / LIBERAL CLUB / IN MEMORY OF CLUB MEN FALLEN / 1914-1919 / LET NOT HIS MEMORY FADE'. The memorial stands in the grounds of Cartmel Grange Nursing Home near the exit to Allithwaite Road.

The memorial was presented by the Normanton Central Liberal Club, based near Wakefield in West Yorkshire, to the Working Men's Club and Institute Union shortly after the end of the First World War in 1919. It was given in memory of club members, some of whom may have been nursed at the convalescent home built on this site between 1912 and 1914. At an unspecified date the memorial was moved to another part of the nursing home grounds before being relocated as close as possible to its original location as part of a conservation project grant-aided under the English Heritage and Wolfson Foundation War Memorials Grant Scheme. The repair work, carried out on behalf of Brancaster Homes in November 2007 by Able Memorials and Lakeland Creations, included replacement of the stone panel bearing the inscription. The original broken panel is displayed nearby.

The use of concrete as a sculptural medium for war memorials at this period is exceptionally rare. The memorial is also an unusual example of commemoration of men belonging to a specific national organisation, presented by a particular local group from a location at some distance from the memorial.