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Skipton

Skipton war memorial comprises a highly unusual triangular column of around 20ft surmounting a triangular base. The column is surmounted by a winged Figure of Victory standing on an orb and distributing flowers-of-peace. Carved rings decorate each of the three sides of the memorial’s upper section. An additional figure to a low-plinth at the base of the column portrays the figure of a naked male breaking a sword over his knee. Dedicatory inscriptions are carved into the stone at front of the base. Bronze plaques attached to the base carry the names of the 371 locals who fell in world War I and 76 who fell in World War II. The whole is enclosed by wrought iron railings. On the front side of the railings is a bronze sword with the Yorkshire rose depicted on the hilt. An animal’s head in relief at the top of the blade nearest the hilt with a green-coloured metal wreath hanging behind. The memorial is located in the centre of a traffic-circle at the town centre of Skipton.

This memorial received a War Memorials Trust grant of £2,200 towards conservation and repair works. The project was supported through Grants for War Memorials supported by Historic England in 2022.

The memorial was designed by Manchester architect James Henry Sellers wit the figures sculpted by John Cassidy. The memorial was unveiled at a ceremony on 8th April 1922.

The inscription reads:
These were the Brave, Unknowing how to Yield, Who, terrible in Valour, kept the Field Against their Foe, and Higher than Life's breath Prizing their Honour, met the Doom of Death and now they Rest Peaceful Enfolded in their Country's Breast

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM4672
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 29790

War Memorials Online: WMO/136245

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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