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The Ashton-Under-Lyne war memorial is a monumental neo-classical composition which stands at the centre of the Memorial Gardens, between Old Street, Crickets Lane and Mossley Road. The memorial stands 35ft high and is constructed of Portland stone. It comprises a tall square shaft supported on a pedestal with a moulded plinth, standing upon a three-tier stepped platform. There are two lions, one either side of the central column. One is in combat with the serpent of evil, while the other has crushed the serpent and is triumphant. The crowning group at the top of the memorial comprises of a wounded soldier and the winged figure of Victory.

The memorial bears 38 bronze panels bearing the names of those who died in the Great War. Each is inscribed with about 40 names, a total of 1,512. The names of those who died in the Second World War 301 in all are on two panels, one housed on the extreme left of the memorial, and one on the extreme right. A bronze tablet on the front of the memorial states: “Erected in honour of the men of Ashton Under Lyne and district who fought for King and Empire in the Great War, especially those who sacrificed their lives, and whose names are recorded hereon 1914-1919”. Beneath this panel is a smaller one, long and narrow, stating “1939-45” (SJ9499 : Ashton-Under-Lyne War Memorial -Dedication). On the front of the central column, in bronze, there is a wreath above four panels which state, reading downwards: “Belgium, France, Gallipoli, Egypt, Italy,” (SJ9499 : Ashton-Under-Lyne War Memorial (detail)). The same style is used on the back with: “Mesopotamia, Africa, Turkey, Macedonia, Russia.”

The architect was Percy Howard who was born in Ashton. The memorial was unveiled on Saturday, 16 September, 1922. Originally listed at Grade II in 1987, it was redesignated in 2016 and now has Grade II* Listed status (Historic England List Entry Number: 1067996 Link ).

Link - Viual Arts Directory/Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project.

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