War Memorial Lychgate, St Michael's Churchyard

The War Memorial Lychgate at St Michael's Churchyard was built in 1920, designed by architect J H Martindale and constructed by A Grisenthwaite. It serves as a memorial for those who fell in the First World War, with additions for the Second World War.

The lychgate is made of red sandstone and wood, featuring a roof covered with red sandstone slates. It is located at the end of the footpath leading to the Church of St Michael in Skelton. The structure has two U-shaped sandstone gateposts, each with a timber seat supported by sandstone corbels, which hold up the pitched roof. The names of nine fallen soldiers are carved into the inside of the north gatepost above the seat. The gates are made of light oak and are fitted with elaborate metal strap hinges and fastenings.

Above the gates, the dark oak timber superstructure supports the pitched roof and features decorative carvings and dedications. One inscription, visible when approaching the lychgate, reads, "AND THE 1939 -1945 WAR / THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918." Another inscription, visible when leaving the lychgate, states, "SONS OF THIS PLACE, LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID / THAT YOU WHO LIVE ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD / THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT YOU WHO LIVE MAY REAP / A RICHER HARVEST, ERE YOU FALL ALSEEP."