Memorial

Keswick Cenotaph

Overall view WW1 side

Source: Copyright Stuart Nicholson

1/14

Current Location

County Square, Keswick, Allerdale, Cumbria, CA12 4NB, England

OS Grid Reference

NY 26815 23492

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Type of Memorial: Cenotaph
WMR Reference Number: 2206
Description: Step surmounted by broad pedestal and cenotaph with pedimented top. Large honister slate tablet commemorating WW1 dead placed on the front face of the pedestal and two smaller tablets commemorating WW2 dead placed on the left and right hand sides. Relief of Victory in classical costume with sword on the front face of the cenotaph. During 2016, as part of post Storm Desmond reconstruction work (December 2015), new cast iron railings have been added to the rear of the cenotaph area. On the rear of the memorial is a bronze plaque commemorating staff of the Cockermouth Keswick and Penrith Railway Company which was installed here following the closure of the nearby railway station in 1972 (see WMR 3996).
Inscription: 6 OCLOCK FACE: TO KEEP FRESH THE MEMORY/ OF OUR BRAVE MEN WHO FELL/ IN THE GREAT WARS/ (NAMES) 3 AND 9 OCLOCK FACE: 1939 - 1945/ (NAMES) Railings-1914 1919 1939 1945

War: First World War (1914-1918)
Number Commemorated: 109
Died: 109
Information shown: surname, initials of forenames
Order of names: surname alphabetical order

War: Second World War (1939-1945)
Number Commemorated: 51
Died: 51
Information shown: surname and initials of forenames
Order of names: surname

Maker(s): FRANCIS DERWENT WOOD, Sculptor
Costs: c£2,500
Sponsor Type: public
Sponsored By: All the money was raised by public subscription. The appeal for the original estimated £4,000 cost was launched in June 1919. In the first week alone £950 was raised. There are weekly updates in the local newspaper 'The Keswick Reminder' detailing every contribution small and large. During the summer contributions dried up and the scheme was shelved in November 1919 (formerly in January 1920) when £1890/2/- had been raised. This scheme included provision for the education and maintenance of the circa 30 children of the town left fatherless, throughout their childhood, a grand carnival on the lake including flares from the local mountain, Skiddaw, a peace medal for each child of the town, and a grand homecoming meal for returning soldiers, sailors and airmen. The carnival and the peace medal were abandoned. The peace meal was fundraised for separately and held on 12 Feb 1920 at a cost of around £165. The occassion included a 'Smoking Concert'. The memorial scheme itself cost around £2,500 and was not restarted until October 1921 (part of the cause of the delay was that the sculptor became involved in other work after the 1919/1920 postponement. The educational scheme invested money for each war orphan with the interest to be used to aid the instruction of the children. Grants were to be made from the Capital either for each child to attend a Secondary School or to be apprenticed or for any other purpose that will further its educational interests. The trusteees represented the town, the Council and the schools.

War MemorialsRegister

Keswick Cenotaph

Current Location

OS Grid Reference

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Memorial Details

Commemoration

History

Keswick Cenotaph

Current Location

OS Grid Reference

Names

Names listed on this memorial

Contribute to the War Memorials Register

Memorial Details

Commemoration

History

Names

Names listed on this memorial

Ceremonies

Conservation

Components

Further Information