- Type of Memorial
- Cenotaph
- WMR Reference Number
- 2022
- Description
- The memorial has two elements constructed in light grey Cornish granite, which are sited on a three step platform set within a square paved area with cast iron lamps at the corners. The principal element, running roughly South to North, is a 10 metre pylon raised by a further six steps, which reduces in width as it gains height, culminating in a sarcophagus bearing a carving of a recumbent soldier draped in his greatcoat. On the sides are carved flags painted with the colours of the four Services - to the West the White Ensign, representing the Royal Navy, and the Union flag representing the Army, and to the East the Royal Air Force ensign and the Red Ensign, representing the Merchant Navy. Gilded laurel wreathes are hung from the tops of the gilded flag poles, and the town's Coat of Arms is carved on both sides of the pylon behind the tops of the flags, within a laurel wreath . The dates of the World Wars are incised and gilded between the sets of flags - in Arabic numerals to the West, and Roman numerals to the East. There are gilded incised inscriptions on the convex North and South faces, and a cast bronze plaque, a later addition, on the South face. A Stone of Remembrance, raised a further three steps, runs East to West to the South front of the cenotaph and carries a gilded inscription.
The memorial area was originally flanked by two lawned areas but the garden area was greatly extended northwards after WW2 when a sunken Garden of Remembrance was created (WMR 100911) as the town's WW2 Memorial. There are a number of separate memorial stones and benches sited within the garden areas.
- Inscription
- Incised on the South face, opposite the town hall: They were a wall/ unto us both by/ night and by day
On the bronze plaque beneath: To all those who died/ in the/ service of their country
North face: To the memory/ of the men of/ rochdale/ who/ gave their lives/ in the Great War
West face: 1914 - 1919/ and 1939 - 1945
East face: MCMXIV/ - MCMXIX/ et/ MCMXXXIX/ - MCMXLV
On the Stone of Remembrance: Their name liveth/for evermore