York and Lancaster Memorial, Sheffield facts for kids
The memorial in 2013
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| Coordinates | 53°22′53″N 1°29′26″W / 53.381258°N 1.490581°W |
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| Location | Weston Park, Sheffield, England |
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| Opening date | 7 July 1923 |
| Dedicated to | War dead |
The York and Lancaster Regiment War Memorial is a special monument found in Weston Park, Sheffield, England. It was built in 1923 to honor the brave soldiers from the York and Lancaster Regiment who died fighting for their country. This memorial helps us remember the 8,814 members of the regiment who lost their lives in the First World War.
After the Second World War ended, more names were added. This was to remember the 1,222 members of the regiment who died in that war too.
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What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The memorial is made of strong granite stone and features beautiful bronze statues. At the very top, there is a winged female figure. People often describe her as either Liberty, meaning freedom, or Victory, meaning winning.
Below her, there's a tall, four-sided stone pillar called an obelisk. At the base of the memorial, you can see two bronze statues of soldiers. One is an officer wearing a helmet and holding a pistol. The other is a private soldier with a Lee-Enfield rifle.
Who Designed This Special Monument?
The memorial cost £12,000 to build. This money was raised by a group called the 'York and Lancaster Memorial Committee' through donations from the public.
The Sheffield Technical School of Art was asked to design the memorial. A teacher named Francis Jahn created the winged female figure. The statues of the soldiers were made by two students, Roy Smith (who designed the officer) and G N Morewood (who designed the private). Other students from the school even posed as models for the statues! Roy Smith also designed the overall look of the memorial.
When Was It Unveiled?
The memorial was officially shown to the public on 7 July 1923. A very important military leader, Field Marshall Herbert Plumer, unveiled it.
A Protected Landmark
In June 1973, the memorial was given a special status called Grade II listed. This means it is an important historic building and is legally protected. No one can change or knock it down without special permission.
It's important not to confuse this memorial with another one nearby. The York and Lancaster Regiment also has a memorial for the Boer War, which is a different conflict.
