Eight memorials given listed status
EIGHT more war memorials in the Rochdale borough have been awarded prestigious listed status by Historic England.
The classification, which marks structures of particular historic and architectural significance, was granted after the council applied for the structures to be honoured.
In Rochdale, the newly listed memorials include Bamford War Memorial at the Church of St. Michael, Norden War Memorial, Wardle War Memorial and Shore Mills Memorial in Littleborough.
The Church of St Gabriel War Memorial in Middleton, the Church of All Saints’ War Memorial in Alkrington, Providence War Memorial and Birch-in-Hopwood War Memorial have also been honoured.
Between them, they commemorate more than 500 men and women who lived and worked in the borough, or attended its churches, who lost their lives in conflict.
Many were first erected during the 1920s, and later updated to include the names of the fallen from the Second World War.
While most of those who are commemorated on the memorials are men, St Gabriel’s includes the name of one woman, Martha Scott. And though most names were listed by initial and surname, Martha’s full name is included.
The newly listed memorials, all of which have been given Grade II status, join the many others in the borough which already have the coveted listing.