History
Ashton-under-Lyne suffered heavy losses during the First World War, with over 1,500 men killed. [1] An ambitious memorial scheme proposed in 1919 was abandoned due to cost, and a new design was commissioned from local architect Percy Howard and Manchester-based sculptor John Ashton Floyd, [2] who also collaborated on the Waterloo and Taunton district memorial in Ashton. [3]
The memorial was funded by public subscription at a cost of £8,000. [1] It was unveiled on 16 September 1922 by General Sir Ian Hamilton and dedicated by Rev. W. A. Parry. [4] The ceremony was marred by the collapse of a wooden viewing platform, injuring around 40 people. [2] Additional panels commemorating the dead of the Second World War were added and unveiled on 11 November 1950 by the mayor of Ashton, alderman E. Clark. [1]
On 14 July 1987, Ashton-under-Lyne War Memorial was designated a Grade II* listed building for its architectural and historic significance. [1]
To mark the centenary of the First World War, the memorial garden was permanently safeguarded through Fields in Trust, in partnership with the Royal British Legion, to guarantee its role as both a community recreational space and a lasting tribute to those who served. [5]
Design
The memorial is a monumental neoclassical composition constructed in Portland stone. It stands on a three-tier stepped platform and features a tall square shaft supported on a pedestal with a moulded plinth. The shaft is adorned with pedimented pilasters, stylised palm leaf friezes, and fluted detailing. [2]
Flanking the pedestal wings are two bronze lions: one engaged in combat with a serpent, symbolising struggle, and the other victorious with the serpent crushed beneath its feet, representing triumph. At the summit is a sculptural group portraying Winged Victory [note 1] supporting a collapsed soldier. Victory clasps the soldier's wrist as he raises an inverted sword of honour and holds a laurel wreath, symbolising sacrifice and triumph. [5]
Surrounding the figures is an assemblage of weaponry and equipment representing the three armed forces, including an aircraft propeller (Royal Air Force), ropes and an anchor (Royal Navy), and a tank gear-wheel, artillery guns, rifles, and steel helmets (British Army). [1]
On the front and rear faces of the shaft are bronze fittings in the form of stylised Roman standards, each incorporating a wreath and five horizontal bands inscribed with the names of theatres of war. The south face lists Belgium, France, Gallipoli, Egypt, and Italy, while the north face lists Mesopotamia, Africa, Turkey, Macedonia, and Russia. [2]
The main pedestal's south face carries a large bronze panel with a bead-and-reel border and raised lettering reading:
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
A smaller panel beneath records the dates "1939–1945". [1]
To either side and across the rear are 38 bronze panels bearing the names of the First World War dead in relief lettering, each panel listing 40 names. The east and west return faces each contain a bronze panel commemorating those who died during the Second World War, totalling 301 names. [2]
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