The War Memorial, Radcliffe

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 17 Jan 2010

Viewed here from Blackburn Street, Radcliffe's War Memorial Cenotaph stands in a small memorial garden, opposite the former town hall. First unveiled on 26 November 1922, it takes the form of an obelisk which rises to 35 feet above street level. The obelisk is mounted on a plinth set on a square raised terrace with surrounding walls and steps to Blackburn Street. The four main faces of the pedestal have large square bronze panels containing in relief 642 names of the fallen of 1914-1918; the narrow re-entrant sides have matching rectangular panels of names headed 1939-1945 (see Roll of Honour http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Lancashire/Radcliffe.html for a list). The front of the obelisk has a sword with a laurel wreath round the handle; its base is surrounded by statuary on three sides. The statues, three large winged female figures are emblematic of Liberty, Victory and Peace. Victory, standing in the centre, holds Liberty by one hand and in the other holds up the laurel emblem of conquest; Liberty to the left breaks free, raising a flaming torch; Peace, to the right, reclines on one leg, with roses of remembrance in her lap, listening to the message of a dove perched on her shoulder. The memorial is designated as a Grade II* Listed Building by English Heritage (English Heritage ID:210777 http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-210777-radcliffe-cenotaph- British Listed Buildings)

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0