Malpas War Memorial

Malpas War Memorial in St Oswald's Churchyard1920 Whitchurch Herald report of Unveiling Service1949 Rededication Service page 11949 Rededication Service pages 2 & 31949 Rededication Service pages 4 & 51949 Rededication Service pages 6 & 71949 Whitchurch Herald report of Rededication Service

Listed Building:

The Malpas War Memorial was awarded Grade II listed building status on 21 August 2007

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Description:

First and Second World Wars war memorial, 1920, red sandstone. Octagonal column on octagonal base and plinth surmounted
by lantern containing carved figures.

Wide stepped octagonal plinth. Octagonal base with metal plaques to each face inscribed with names of men of parish who died during both World Wars.

Plaque to front of base reads 'TO THE/ HONOURED MEMORY OF/ THE MEN WHO DIED/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE GREAT WARS/ 1914-1918/ 1939-1945/ THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE/ ECCLUS.XLIV.14'.

Five plaques commemorate those who died during WWI (58 names), the inscription to top of plaques reads '1914 – 18'.

Two plaques commemorate those who died during WWII (19 names), the inscription to top of plaques reads '1939 – 45'.

Octagonal column with elaborate 4-sided gableted lantern with diagonal buttresses, crocketed decoration and surmounted by cross finial. Shallow niches to each side of lantern contain carved figures.

Female figure possibly representing Peace/Victory to front, WWI soldier to right, soldier in armour to rear, knight to left. All figures with bowed heads in symbolic remembrance of those who were lost.

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Summary of Importance:

Intricately carved cross war memorial dating to 1920 and commemorating the men of Malpas who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars (name plaques for the latter were added later) with money raised by public subscription.

With a decorative lantern incorporating carved figures representing peace/victory and those lost in combat during various periods of British warfare history, the war memorial is an interesting and prominent architectural and historic feature within the churchyard of St Oswald's Church and the wider village and represents considerable special historic interest.

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History:

A meeting on 5 May 1919, led by the local Rector L. Armistead, who was also the chair of the Parish Council, was held to decide what type of memorial to erect to those of the parish who had lost their lives during WWI.

It was agreed that the memorial should be erected in the churchyard and funding was to be raised by public subscription.

The main body of the memorial is a sandstone octagon, the front face of which bore the inscription "To the honoured memory of the men who died for their country in the Great War 1914-1919. Their name liveth for ever." Upon the other seven faces were inscribed with the names of the 56 men from the parish who made the Supreme Sacrifice. 

The design and construction was carried out by Messrs Henry A. Clegg and  Sons and the memorial was unveiled in a ceremony led by the Bishop of Chester on 3rd March 1920.

After WW2 the names of Malpas men who gave their lives in that conflict were added. This was achieved by the casting of eight new bronze plaques, which were then fitted over the original inscriptions. The memorial was rededicated in a special service on Sunday 27th February 1949 led by the then Reverend The Venerable Archdeacon  F.J. Okell, M.A.

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2026-27 War Memorial Upgrade Project:

In November 2018,local organisation, Malpas Community Links organised three days of events to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War One. Details of which can be found at Malpas 100 Years On    

In May 2025 local organisation, Malpas Community Links organised four days of events to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Details of which can be found at Malpas VE80 The Homecoming. 

Both events included Wartime Roadshows which were held in the Malpas Community Church (formerly High Street Church) 

Extensive historic research into the men who fought in both conflicts has identified that there are nine WW1 men, one WW2 man, and one man from the Bosnia conflict all with strong Malpas connections are missing from the Malpas War Memorial and the Role of Honour book which is held in St Oswald’s Church. They are also not commemorated on any other UK Civic War Memorial.

The research undertaken also revealed that there are errors in the names and regiments of some of those
men already listed on the War Memorial.

The project now underway, is:

1/ to add the missing men's names as listed below to the War Memorial by the casting and fitting of new plaques.

2/ to produce a new Roll of Honour book which will include the missing men and any appropriate information corrections.

3/ to hold a Re-dedication Service (Currently planned for 7th March 2027.)

WW1 Missing Men:

WW2 Missing Man:

Bosnia Missing Man:

If you would like to contribute to the cost of this project then contact us at editor@malpascheshire.org