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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Bury War Memorial 2: Cross

    Memorial

    Source: Copyright Barrie Price

    1/16

    Current Location

    St Mary's Churchyard, The Rock, Bury, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 0BW, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SD 80409 10842

    Denomination

    Church of England

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    © WMR-2137

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    Type of Memorial
    Cross
    WMR Reference Number
    2137
    Description
    Cornish granite Cross of Sacrifice on a stepped octagonal plinth, with curving flanking walls bearing cast bronze reliefs. The dedication is incised on the three front faces of the base, with the years of WW2 incised on the upper step, above a bronze laurel wreath, below which are incised the years of WW1. The walls terminate in columns which carry the town and County arms and Latin inscriptions on their ends. The subjects of the reliefs are divided between the military on the left panel, and the civilian on the right panel. Both are unusual in depicting the varied roles of women in wartime - as nurse to the military, and in various roles - on the land, in munitions factories, and in the home - as civilians. Children are also prominent among the civilians. There are no names on the memorial. The town's War Memorial was to be the funding of a new Children's Ward attached to the Infirmary (see WMR 105176), however, it was later decided that this Memorial should also be erected in the town centre.
    Inscription
    1939/ 1945/ To the Memory of the Men/ of Bury who Gave their/ Lives in the Great War/ 1914/ 1918 On the end of the pillars on the flanking walls: Pro Rege (For King)/ Pro Patria (For Country)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Maker(s)
    • Joseph Hermon Cawthra, Sculptor

    • Sir Reginald Blomfield RA, Architect

    • William Kirkpatrick Ltd, Builder

    Sponsor Type
    private
    Sponsored By
    The original scheme for a Memorial for the town was the addition of a Children's Ward to the town's Infirmary, for which £50,000 was collected by public subscription. There was, however, still a movement to have a Cenotaph memorial in the town centre. After an anonymous donation of £1000 was made specifically for this, it was agreed that such a memorial be erected. (ref: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1444845).

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    11th November 1924

    Mrs Peachment (Mother of the town's VC), Earl of Derby.

    Dedicated

    11th November 1924

    Lord Bishop of Hulme

    Custodian
    Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

    Components

    Cross

    Made from: Stone


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II*

    List Entry: 1444845

    Plaque

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II*

    List Entry: 1444845

    • Departments WM 823, WM 2485
    • Carter Postcard Collection
    • Ramsbottom Observer - Friday 07 November 1924 Page 5 BURY'S WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILING. ---