Memorial details

Memorial type
Cross
District
Sefton
Town
Ainsdale
County
Merseyside
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Afghanistan (2001-2014), Second World War (1939-1945)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
22267

Support IWM

Donate with Just Giving

Any gift we receive makes a vital contribution to our ongoing work, from conserving our collection to supporting our public programme.

Current location

Village Green
Liverpool Road
Ainsdale
Sefton
Merseyside
PR8 3NF
England

OS Grid Ref: SD 31690 12152
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
Celtic wheel cross with Celtic knotwork design carved in relief on front face. Remaining sides are smooth, as is the tapering plinth and two stepped base that the cross surmounts. The principal inscriptions are on the West face of the plinth, and on the flat and side of the step below, with the original WW1 names inscribed on the three remaining plinth faces, and additional names on the angled base on the East side, with the name of a female on the flat of the step. The WW2 dedication is on the bottom of the East face of the Cross itself, with an additional WW2 dedication relating to RAF Woodvale and HMS Queen Charlotte inscribed on an additional angled stone on the second step below. The WW2 names are on the angled base on the South and North sides. A commemoration for the Afghanistan conflict has been added in front of the West face. All lettering is leaded. Cross is surrounded by a paved area and a low stone wall with metal gates, benches and planted flower beds; all situated on a village green.
Inscription
Cross, West and East, head: 1914 1919 Cross, East, base: In memory of/ those who gave/ their lives/ in the Second/ World War/ 1939 - 45 Plinth, East: 1914 - 18/ (Names Ho - Sa) Step: (Name) Additional angled stone: To commemorate and honour/ those personnel from/ RAF Woodvale and HMS Queen Charlotte/ who gave their lives during WWII/ whilst serving in Ainsdale Plinth, East: REMEMBER/ 1914 - 18/ (Names) Angled base, East: 1914-1919/ (Names) Plinth, North: 1914 - 18/ (Names) Angled base, North: 1939-1945/ (Names) Plinth, West: True love/ by Life -/ True love/ by Death -/ is tried;/ Live thou for England/ We for England died. Upper step, West: Greater love hath no man than this,/ that a man lay down his life for his friends. Upper step face, West: Erected by the residents/ as a mark f respect and affection Angled base, West: Afghanistan/ (Name) Plinth, South: Remember/ 1914 - 18/ (Names) Angled base, South: 1939 - 1945/ (Names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Allison, R F N
Aughton, E
Ball, E
Ball, L
Barron, N
Bates, H
Blandy, C
Blandy, Stella
Buckley, J A
Charters, J
See details for all 80 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 51
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 51
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Initial, surname
    Order of information: Initial, surname
  • Afghanistan (2001-2014)
    Total names on memorial: 1
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 1
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Initials, surname
    Order of information: Initials, surname
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 28
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 28
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Initials, surname
    Order of information: Initials, surname
Components
  • Lettering
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Lead
  • Gates
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Metal
  • Base
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Cross
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Paving
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Plinth
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Wall
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • Seat
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Wood
Listing information
  • Ainsdale War Memorial
  • Grade II
  • This memorial is protected, and listed on the National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England. View list entry
  • More about listing and the protection of historic places can be found on the Historic England website
  • Historic England
Condition
History
2012: restoration completed.
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Responsibility
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Reference
  • Local Publication/Booklet 31 October 2012 The Champion newspaper. Information regarding restoration project.
  • Carter Postcard Collection

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.

This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:

© WMR-22267

For queries, please contact [email protected].