Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
CHADDERTON WAR MEMORIAL Photograph
Region ID | MR | |
Work ID | 397 | |
Manual Reference | MR/OLD25 | |
Title | CHADDERTON WAR MEMORIAL | |
Sculptor | Toft, Albert | |
Date of design | 1920-1921 | |
Year of unveiling | 1921 | |
Unveiling details | 8 October 1921 | |
Road | Middleton Rroad | |
Precise Location | ||
A to Z Ref | ||
OS Ref | ||
Postcode | ||
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | Not listed | |
Duty of Care | Oldham MBC | |
Commissioned by | Chaderton War Memorial Committee | |
Notes | ||
Granite obelisk approached by three steps; on a bow-fronted projection at the front stands the bronze figure of an ordinary soldier, alert and watchful, holding a rifle in right hand. The slightly larger than life-size figure stands on a short plinth representing rough ground. | ||
Chadderton War Memorial Committee recognised the importance of a public memorial whilst acknowledging the need for a more practical tribute. Following discussions, this took the form of establishing scholarships to assist the children whose fathers had been killed in the war. The secretary of the War Memorial Committee was J. Arnold Brierley. The site selected was in front of the Town Hall was the most prominent one available in the town. The Oldham architects, Taylor and Simister were responsible for designing the memorial, the focus of which was the figure of a soldier. The statue was the work of Albert Toft, who had also been commissioned to design the main Oldham war memorial. The memorial was completed by the autumn of 1921. It was unveiled by Councillor Ernest Kempsey in a ceremony marked by prayers and hymns, speeches and the laying of wreaths. Long lines of local inhabitants waited respectfully to view the memorial. Kirkpatrick's of Manchester were the contractors. The final cost was £2,000. | ||
War memorial for Chadderton | ||
circa | ||
raw year | 1921 | |
Condition | Good | |
At risk | Not at risk | |
Inscriptions | Inscription on front of obelisk: IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF CHADDERTON / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF / ALL WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE WARS OF / 1914-1919 / AND / 1939-1945] | |
Signatures | A. Toft Sc signed: A. Toft Sc Inscription on front of obelisk: IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF CHADDERTON / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF / ALL WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR / FOR FREEDOM / 1914-1918. [The final lines were later altered to read: IN THE WARS OF / 1914-1919 / AND / 1939-1945] Condition: good Status: Grade II Owned by: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Description: war memorial; grey granite obelisk approached by three steps; on a bow-fronted projection at the front stands the bronze figure of an ordinary soldier, alert and watchful, holding a rifle in his right hand. The slightly larger than life-size figure stands on a short plinth representing rough ground. The Chadderton War Memorial Committee whilst recognising the importance of a public memorial also acknowledged the need for a more practical tribute. Following discussions, this took the form of establishing scholarships to assist the children whose fathers had been killed in the war. The secretary of the War Memorial Committee was J. Arnold Brierley. The site selected was in front of the Town Hall was the most prominent one available in the town. The Oldham architects, Taylor and Simister were responsible for designing the memorial, the focus of which was the figure of a soldier. The statue was the work of Albert Toft, who had also been commissioned to design the main Oldham war memorial. The memorial was ready by the autumn of 1921. It was unveiled by Councillor Ernest Kempsey in a ceremony marked by prayers and hymns, speeches and the laying of wreaths. Long lines of local inhabitants waited respectfully to view the memorial. Kirkpatrick's of Manchester were the contractors. The final cost was £2,000. | |
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
statue | bronze | 216 cm high |
pedestal | granite | 531 cm high |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
No damage | |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
None | |
Vandalism
Vandalism | Comment |
|---|---|
None | |
