- Type of Memorial
- Composite
- WMR Reference Number
- 1278
- Description
- A runic cross on a three stage, octagonal plinth and an octagonal podium, with eleven surrounding figures and twelve relief panels. Steps lead up the podium to the north, south, east and west. The sculptures depict the defence of the home: the freestanding figures comprise three soldiers, two women and six children. Surrounding the base there are four round-headed, high-relief panels depicting the different forces in action - the Red Cross (ambulance men with wounded soldiers), the land armies (gunners), the navy (sailors) and the air forces. At the top of each set of steps there are two high-relief panels with four children (two boys and two girls) offering a wreath to the soldier as a sign of gratitude. The names and main commemoration are engraved in black around the faces of the plinth. Nearby there are two information panels entitled 'Defence of the Home' and 'To The Fallen'.
- Inscription
- South panel of the plinth: THESE ARE NOT DEAD/ SUCH SPIRITS NEVER DIE/ ON THE ADJOINING PANELS ARE INSCRIBED/ THE NAMES OF THOSE/ FROM THE OFFICES AND WORKS OF/ LEVER BROTHERS LIMITED/ AND THEIR ASSOCIATED COMPANIES OVERSEAS/ AND ALSO FROM PORT SUNLIGHT/ WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 1919
North panel of the plinth: THIS MEMORIAL/ ERECTED BY LEVER BROTHERS LIMITED/ AND THE COMPANY'S EMPLOYEES IN ALL/ PARTS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND IN/ ALLIED COUNTRIES WAS UNVEILED ON/ DECEMBER 3RD 1921 BY/ SERGEANT E.G. EAMES OF PORT SUNLIGHT/ WHO LOST HIS SIGHT AT THE FIRST BATTLE/ OF THE SOMME IN FRANCE 1916 AND BY/ PRIVATE R.E. CRUICKSHANK OF THE LONDON/ BRANCH OFFICE WHO WAS AWARDED THE/ VICTORIA CROSS IN 1918 FOR CONSPICUOUS/ BRAVERY AND DEVOTION TO DUTY IN PALESTINE
Lower section of the south panel of the plinth: THE NAMES OF ALL WHO SERVED NUMBERING OVER FOUR/ THOUSAND ARE RECORDED IS A BOOK DEPOSITED BENEATH/ THIS STONE AND ALSO IN SIMILAR BOOKS IN/ CHRIST CHURCH AND IN THE LADY LEVER ART GALLERY
On the wall surrounding the central platform: DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI / THEIR NAME SHALL REMAIN FOR EVER AND/THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT
On the reverse of the wall: TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD
