Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
Four lights, two each side of a marble tablet on an alabaster surround. The two left-hand lights depict Christ, in the left-hand light, standing over a wooden cross upon the ground, and showing the mark of a nail in his hand, whilst holding the martyr's crown to be presented to the kneeling recipient in the right-hand light. Two crowned martyrs stand behind Christ, and two more, together with St George, stand behind the recipient. A biblical text is inscribed on a scroll at the bottom of the windows. In the two right-hand lights are depicted two episodes from the story of David and Jonathan - the farewell of David and Jonathan in the left-hand light, and David's lament on the harp over the death of Jonathan in the right-hand light. David is shown with a halo - as a knight in the first light, and as King in the second. Jonathan is being borne dead off the battlefield by two men dressed as knights.
The alabaster surround to the marble tablet has a semicircular arch at its centre, in which a carved cross rising out of a crown is set within a laurel wreath with ribbons below. The pilasters are dark alabaster columns on pedestals and supporting corniced pedestals. The inscriptions are incised and painted.
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building Name
ST MATTHEWS CHURCH
Street
Billinge Rd
Town
Highfield
District
Country
Postcode
WN3 6QB
OS map ref
SD 55512 03827
Other Details
On the South wall, opposite the main entrance to the church
If the memorial is located in a site of worship, please list the religious denominations

St Matthew's Highfield - WW1 Location

Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
On the windows: Left-hand lights: When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive/ a crown of glory that fated not away. 1 Peter, V 4; Right-hand lights: Jonathan arose & went to David & strengthened his hand in God. I Samuel XXIII.16/ I am distressed for thee my brother Jonathan, thy love to me was wonderful. II Samuel I. 26
On the tablet: This tablet and the four adjoining windows are erected to the Glory/ of God and in grateful memory of the following men from this/ Church and Parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919/ Names/ "Until the day day dawn"
War
How many names are listed in total?
51
Which war or group does the memorial commemorate?
Is the total an exact count?
Yes
Of the names listed, how many served and returned?
0
Of the names listed, how many died?
51
What information is listed for those commemorated?
Surname, Christian name
How is this information ordered?
Surname, Christian name
Condition
Is the writing on the memorial difficult to read?
No
Which organisation is the custodian of the memorial?
The Parochial Church Council
Components
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
What condition is this component in?
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
No
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
What condition is this component in?
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
No
History
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Messrs. Hardman & Son, Birmingham
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Messrs. Whippell and Co., of Exeter and London
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
When did it take place?
25/09/1920
Who was present?
Major C Blundell OBE
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
When did it take place?
25/09/1920
Who was present?
The Rt. Revd. Dr Chavasse, Lord Bishop of Liverpool
References
References
Wigan Observer: 02/10/1920: Report of the unveiling and dedication
Website by Nick Cross with details of those commemorated on the memorial: http://stmatthews1914-1919.yolasite.com
Wigan Observer, 24/04/1920: Resolution of the Easter Vestry Meeting to apply to the Consistory Court for the erection of a window (sic) and tablet on the South wall as a war memorial.
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
78960
Image
The memorials from the East
Priority
0
What is the image's caption?
The memorials from the East
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
07/11/2019
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
86543
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
st_mt_hd_ww1_-_1.jpg
Media Image Height
853
Media Image Width
1280
Media ID
78961
Image
The memorials from the West
Priority
1
What is the image's caption?
The memorials from the West
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
07/11/2019
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
86544
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
st_m_hd_ww1_-_2.jpg
Media Image Height
853
Media Image Width
1280
Media ID
78962
Image
The tablet
Priority
2
What is the image's caption?
The tablet
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
07/11/1920
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
86545
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✔
Media Filename
st_mt_hd_ww1_-_3.jpg
Media Image Height
853
Media Image Width
1280
Media ID
78963
Image
The left-hand lights
Priority
3
What is the image's caption?
The left-hand lights
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
07/11/2019
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
86546
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
st_m_hd_-_ww1_-_window_1.jpg
Media Image Height
1206
Media Image Width
1280
Media ID
78964
Image
The right-hand lights
Priority
4
What is the image's caption?
The right-hand lights
Who is it credited to?
David Long
Date Taken
07/11/2019
Who took or provided this image?
David Long
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
86547
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
st_m_hd_-_ww1_-_window_2.jpg
Media Image Height
1107
Media Image Width
1280