York Historic Environment Record

First World War memorial, 1921.
MATERIALS: Clipsham stone; oak cross
DESCRIPTION: The war memorial is situated to the south of the Grade I-listed Church of St
Cuthbert, immediately adjacent to the entrance porch.
It takes the form of a tall, oak Latin cross rising from a four-sided, tapering Clipsham stone
plinth surmounting a single-step, square stone base. Both faces of the cross have the
inscription IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (In this sign you will conquer) written across the horizontal
arm; carved above the inscription to the vertical arm is the Chi Rho symbol. The plinth carries
the inscriptions in incised lettering.
The south-west face of the plinth reads IN THANKFULNESS/ TO ALMIGHTY GOD. To the
south- east face are the words, 865 PARISHIONERS/ SERVED IN THE WAR/ 1914-1918.
The north-east face reads, TO THE LOVE OF GOD/ THE FALLEN/ ARE COMMENDED. The
north-west face reads, THE WOMEN/ AND CHILDREN/ DID THEIR PART.
A further inscription reads anti clockwise around the top part of the plinth starting from
south-west face, CONSTANTINE THE GREAT/ PROCLAIMED EMPEROR/ IN THIS PARISH/
AD 306.

(Historic England Consultation Report 2018) https://tinyurl.com/y7s996jl

Reasons for designation:
Historic interest:
* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the First World War;
* for the unusual inclusion of a dedication to Constantine the Great and his association with the city of York; his renown is utilised on the memorial as a symbol of victory and the Christian faith, making a direct association between him and the valour of those who served in the First World War.
Architectural interest:
* a well-executed Latin cross memorial.
Group value:
* with the Grade I-listed Church of St Cuthbert.

(HE Advice Report 2018)

United Kindom Inventory of War Memorials
http://www.ukniwm.org.uk (Website). SYO2083.