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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    St James' Westhead Parish Memorial - WW1 and WW2

    The Sanctuary - the altar, rail, reredos and panelling are the main part of the memorial

    Source: David Long

    1/6

    Current Location

    St James' Church, Vicarage Lane, Westhead, West Lancashire, Lancashire, L40 6HQ, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SD 43625 07180

    Denomination

    Church of England

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-3413

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    Type of Memorial
    Church Fabric / Fitting: Reredos or screen
    WMR Reference Number
    3413
    Description
    New sanctuary furniture - altar and rails, reredos, and panelling extending from each side of the reredos to the side walls of the sanctuary, and then down the sides of the chancel - all in oak. A text in Gothic script is carved into the top section of the uppermost panels to each side of the altar, and there is also a Latin text carved beside the credence shelf in the panelling down the South wall of the sanctuary. The names of the fallen of WW1 are inscribed on three carved scrolls each side of the altar, with the WW2 names being on three similar scrolls beneath the WW1 names to the right of the altar. Those who served are recorded on three panels to each side of the chancel, where there is also a dedication on the panel nearest the altar rails on the North side.
    Inscription
    To each side of the altar: As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup/ ye do shew the Lords death till he come/ Names Beside the credence shelf: Sancta Domino (Holy Lord) To the Glory of God/ and as a tribute to the/ honoured memory of the/ sixteen (sic - there are seventeen inscribed) men of this Parish/ who fell in the Great War 1914-1918/ and whose names are inscribed on the East wall panelling of/ this Church/ the carved oakwork around/ this Chancel was placed/ here by the people of this/ Parish and Congregation/ with deepest respect./ The names of the other men of/ the Parish and Congregation/ who served in the Navy and Army/ during the Great War 1914-1918/ are also inscribed on this/ panelling with heartfelt gratitude/ Names There is no inscription to signify that the lower set of nine names to the right of the altar are the fallen of WW2.
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    109
    Served
    92
    Died
    17
    Information shown
    Unit, rank, forename, Christian name, surname, awards
    Order of names
    Unit, rank, forename, Christian name, surname, awards
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    9
    Died
    9
    Information shown
    Christian name, surname, unit
    Order of names
    Christian name, surname, unit
    Sponsor Type
    private

    Ceremonies

    Custodian
    The Parochial Church Council

    Components

    Board

    Made from: Wood - Oak


    Condition: Good


    • Wigan Observer, 30/01/1919: Report of the Liverpool Diocesan Consistory Court of 28/01/1919, granting faculties to: remove sanctuary furniture and substitute with new; panel the lower chancel walls; re-arrange the step under the altar; erect a new window in the East end (WMR 87804). The window the gift of Henry Tyrer, the rest defrayed by voluntary contributions.
    • The website of the Lathom & Burscough Military Heritage Society covers War memorials at Newburgh, Westhead, Lathom, Burscough and Burscough Bridge: https://www.lbmhs.co.uk