THE CENOTAPH

The Midgley & Luddenden War Memorial (also known as a Cenotaph, empty Tomb) lies between the Lord Nelson Inn and St. Mary's Church. It was built in 1923 on land originally owned by The Lord Nelson where previously stood a smithy and blacksmith shop.

The Cenotaph includes a list of those men lost from the villages in World War 1. Later a list of those lost in WW2 was added.

The commemoration of the servicemen and the villages War Dead is also reflected in the various Rolls of Honour that preceded the creation of the villages war memorial.

And for a nation perspective, please read about the work of Fabian Ware and the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which can be viewed here.

The decision not to be repatriated the bodies of the fallen for burial in the UK was not a popular decision for many of the bereaved and many petitioned the authorities to try and overturn this decision.

The creation of War Memorials in the UK provided a focus for the national grief. Most were financed by local communities and here in Midgley and Luddenden, a committee was formed to discuss the installation of our own memorial.

The Committee faced two difficult decisions, which names to include on a memorial and where to site this memorial.

The owners of the Lord Nelson inn, The Shibden Head Brewery Company owned the plot of land opposite the pub including the old derelict Smithy. The committee asked if it would be possible to site a permanent memorial here.
And here is their reply:

Courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Services

 “the land and the old stable facing the Lord Nelson Inn, Luddenden as a free gift entirely, for the purpose of erecting a village memorial to fallen soldiers.

We only ask that the road be considerably widened, as at this particular corner, it is very narrow and dangerous”