- Type of Memorial
- Cenotaph
- WMR Reference Number
- 2024
- Description
- Portland stone memorial by Edwin Lutyens, the central feature of which is a pylon surmounted by a moulded and carved catafalque upon which is carved the prone figure of a fighting man covered by his greatcoat. On each of the flank sides is carved the City of Manchester coat of arms encircled by large laurel wreaths, bound and supported by ribbons. On each of the ends are swords in enriched sheaths and the Imperial Crown in bold relief. To the sides of the cenotaph are two obelisks, on which the dates of the Great War are incised within laurel wreathes on the front and rear faces of each. After WW2 the dates of that conflict were inscribed on the side walls of each obelisk. To the front is the Great War Stone, a replica of the Stone of Remembrance, it rests on a surround of three steps.
A Garden of Remembrance (WMR 100981) was added after World War 2, within which later commemorative plaques were installed.
In 2014 the memorial structures, which were aligned roughly West to East, were dismantled and moved across St Peter's Square, and aligned roughly South to North, as part of an extensive reorganisation and rebuilding project prompted by the need for more space to accommodate the infrastructure for the city's enlarged tram system.
North of the main array, within a semi-circular area backed by stone walls and benches, the four additional memorials (WMR 25690, 25438, 13134, and 53708) which were in the WW2 Garden of Remembrance have been installed on small grassed areas, which are divided by a broad pathway in which stones commemorating the centenaries of the awards to the City's six VCs are laid. Two other commemorations have been added to the set - one for Atomic Veterans (WMR 99148), and one for Soviet sacrifices in WW2 (WMR 99147).
- Inscription
- (On plaque): TO OUR/ FALLEN/ COMRADES/ BRITISH LEGION/ MANCHESTER
(North-east side of memorial): TO THE/ HONOURED MEMORY/ OF THOSE WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY
(south-east side): O LORD GOD OF OUR/ FATHERS KEEP THIS/ FOREVER IN THE/ IMAGINATION OF THE/ THOUGHTS OF THE/ HEART OF THY PEOPLE
(On stone): THEIR NAME LIVETH/ FOR EVERMORE