York Historic Environment Record

War memorial, 1922 with later addition. A stone Celtic cross on a rectangular shaft mounted on a tall plinth resting on a 4 step base. The inscription on the front of the plinth reads: TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY/OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO/WERE KILLED, DIED/FROM WOUNDS OR SICKNESS CONTRACTED/IN THE GREAT WAR/1914-1919, followed by 17 names with regiments, and below: ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION/ORGANISED BY THE STRENSALL BRANCH/OF THE BRITISH LEGION. On the left return of the plinth is inscribed WORLD WAR/1939-1945/REMEMBER, followed by 6 names. The cross bears a further inscription half way up the shaft reading THEY GAVE/THEIR LIVES/THAT WE/MIGHT LIVE. Above this is deeply incised floral decoration covering the shaft and the head of thecross, with a central rose. Below the inscription is a relief carving of a soldier facing left asnd looking downwards, with his hands resting on his gun before him. Near his feet are representations of a field gun and part of a tank. A laurel leaf surrounds his head. Summary of Importance War memorials have a very strong historical and cultural significance on both a local and national scale. The memorial cross at Strensall is a fine example with a high standard of craftsmanship in the carving of its decoration and the reflief figure of a First World War soldier. As a record of the fallen of both World Wars it is clearly of national significance.