Aldridge War Memorial

Aldridge War Memorial in Aldridge, Walsall (West Midlands, England) is a stone Celtic cross raised in 1919 to remember local people killed in the world wars. It is a protected monument: since 8 December 2014 it has stood on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II.

What is the memorial?

The centrepiece is a tall Celtic cross carved from stone, put up just after the First World War. The Bishop of Stafford dedicated it in 1919. The front inscription honours the men of Aldridge who gave their lives in the Great War, and names from the Second World War were added later, so the cross now serves as the town's shared place of remembrance for both conflicts.

The names were originally set in lead lettering. The Imperial War Museums' War Memorials Register records that in 1979 the failing letters were replaced and the cross was cleaned. The register's latest condition note, from February 2018, rates it as fair.

Why is it in a garden rather than by the church?

The cross first stood in the churchyard of St Mary's in Aldridge. In 1956 it was moved to its present position and surrounded by a small flower garden. That layout survives today, with the cross standing in a tidy green space in the centre of the village.

Who else is commemorated here?

On the north-east side a separate freestanding stone carries a bronze plaque for Captain Charles George Bonner VC, an Aldridge man awarded the Victoria Cross for action against an enemy submarine in 1917. The listing text notes that this extra feature has no special architectural or historic interest of its own, though it matters to the local community.

What should you know before visiting?

• The memorial is compact, so a visit takes only a few minutes. It pairs easily with a stroll around central Aldridge and a look at St Mary's church.
• It is a place of remembrance rather than a ticketed attraction. Keep voices low and stay off the flower beds.
• It is busiest around Remembrance Sunday in November, when local services are held at the cross and poppy wreaths are laid.
• It stands in a public space with no official opening hours; check Walsall Council's website for any access notices.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aldridge War Memorial a listed monument? Yes. Historic England listed it at Grade II in 2014.

When was it built? The cross was erected in 1919 and dedicated the same year by the Bishop of Stafford.

Has it always stood in the same spot? No. It began in St Mary's churchyard and was relocated to its current garden in 1956.

Who was Charles George Bonner? A local man who won the Victoria Cross for action against a submarine in 1917. A plaque beside the cross honours him.

Where can I find the official record? In the National Heritage List for England and in the War Memorials Register run by the Imperial War Museums.