High Hesket War Memorial

First World War memorial, 1920, with Second World War additions.

MATERIALS: Aberdeen granite.

DESCRIPTION: High Hesket war memorial is located within the churchyard of the Church of St Mary, prominently situated to the right of the entrance, easily seen from the former main road from Penrith to Carlisle. It takes the form of an ashlar Latin cross more than 3m tall, with a carved laurel wreath tied with ribbons at the intersection, atop a rough-hewn base, raised on a pedestal, with a two-stepped plinth that displays a carved sheathed sword and scabbard on the bottom step. The rough-hewn base of the cross has an ashlar scroll cartouche that reads: "THEY REST/ FROM THEIR/ LABOURS"/ + . The ashlar pedestal has a moulded cornice; the inscription on the north panel reads: IN/ PROUD AND AFFECTIONATE MEMORY/ OF THE UNDERMENTIONED MEN/ OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR/ LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY/IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ (NAMES). The inscription on the east panel reads: SACRED/TO THE MEMORY OF/ THE MEN OF THIS PARISH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE 2ND GREAT WAR/ 1939-1945 (NAMES). The Fallen are listed in incised black painted lettering, by rank, name, service or regiment, date of death, and age.